Content Warning: This article discusses domestic violence and abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please call 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732.
Married at First Sight (MAFS), Australia’s most-watched reality TV program, is under intense scrutiny following a recent incident involving participant and groom Paul Antoine.
During a heated argument, Antoine allegedly punched a bedroom door while his partner, Carina Mirabile, was at the scene.
This act has led to police investigations and widespread public outrage.
In response, What Were You Wearing Australia (WWYW), an advocacy group dedicated to combating domestic, sexual, and family violence, has launched a petition demanding that MAFS producers and Channel 9 uphold ethical standards.
On Wednesday morning’s episode of The Briefing, we talked to the founder of WYWWA and a leading survivor-advocate for domestic and sexual violence Sarah Williams, to unpack the moment.
As of February 28, the petition has garnered significant support, with many expressing concern over the normalisation of aggressive behaviour on national television.
Williams noted that while reality TV often mirrors societal issues, it’s crucial for producers to highlight unacceptable behaviours and promote healthy relationships.
“It’s so damaging because it’s just normalised it and shown that like you can go and do whatever you want and you can still be on Australia’s biggest national television show. Yeah, it’s pretty disgusting,” she said.
The incident has sparked broader conversations about the responsibility of reality TV shows in shaping public perceptions of relationships and domestic violence.
Williams said that
“That’s always one of the biggest things for me is having victim survivors at the forefront. So a whole massive group of people created these demands… if anyone acts abusive in any way, whether that be financial, physical, sexual, they do need to be immediately kicked off the show and not have that platformed on national television.”
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