Married At First Sight has been rocked by a series of disturbing allegations, with participants claiming they were subjected to unsafe conditions during filming – including one bride allegedly being filmed in the shower without her consent.
Documents obtained under freedom of information laws reveal multiple complaints were made to SafeWork NSW about the hit reality TV series, prompting the workplace watchdog to issue three improvement notices to production.
Among the allegations were claims of ‘violence and aggression by producers and grooms on the show including non-consensual touching by a groom’.
The documents also detail accusations that production staff physically blocked exits to stop cast members from leaving the set, while others claimed they were threatened or intimidated if they attempted to walk away from filming, due to illness.
One particularly alarming allegation involved a bride who claimed she was secretly filmed while showering.
Other participants complained of a lack of privacy during production, alleging staff had keys to cast apartments and could enter at any time.
MAFS Australia has been rocked by a series of disturbing allegations, with participants claiming they were subjected to unsafe conditions during filming – including one bride allegedly being filmed in the shower without her consent. (Pictured: Series expert John Aiken)
Some also claimed they were not allowed to remove microphones while using the bathroom.
The investigation was launched after a viewer at home raised concerns with SafeWork NSW following an incident involving a groom punching a hole in a wall.
Three participants later made additional complaints against fellow cast members and production staff, with a situation report prepared for SafeWork Minister Sophie Cotsis reportedly describing the allegations as potentially serious psychosocial hazards.
Cotsis described the allegations as ‘deeply concerning’.
‘The production studio where this program is filmed is the workplace of these participants – they deserve to feel safe,’ she said.
Daily Mail does not suggest the allegations are true, only that they were made and investigated by SafeWork NSW.
Participants also alleged they endured gruelling filming conditions, including extremely long hours with only six or seven hours break between shoots.
Others claimed they were confined to apartments under curfew, banned from speaking to fellow cast members, and ‘baited and harassed’ by producers in order to provoke engaging on-camera reactions.
Documents obtained under freedom of information laws reveal multiple complaints were made to SafeWork NSW about the hit reality TV series, prompting the workplace watchdog to issue three improvement notices to production. (Pictured: Late series expert Mel Schilling)
As a result of the inquiry, SafeWork NSW ordered production to improve the reporting of dangerous incidents, strengthen systems managing physical and psychological hazards, and improve workplace health and safety training.
A separate fifth inquiry into potential psychosocial hazards was reportedly launched last year following the sudden death of former groom Lachlan Rofe in September, aged 47.
Rofe’s passing occurred outside production and there is no suggestion it was connected to the long-running series.
A spokesperson for Nine Entertainment said the network and production company Endemol Shine took participant welfare seriously.
‘When it comes to the health, wellbeing and safety of participants, our approach is not a “set and forget”. We are continually looking at ways we can improve our process and support. At the end of each season we review and make adjustments where needed,’ the spokesperson said in a statement.
‘We’ve co-operated with SafeWork NSW’s inquiries to Nine and will continue to do so as required.’
They added that all MAFS participants were provided with ongoing support services both during and after their time on the show.
Among the allegations were claims of ‘violence and aggression by producers
‘All participants have access to the show psychologist and welfare resources during filming, during broadcast and once the program has ended. Nine also provides an additional service for participants should they like or need further individual and confidential psychological support,’ they added.
‘This service gives participants access to clinicians to support those involved in the program in relation to their experiences. This service is available to all participants for as long as they need it, with no end date.’
They added that comprehensive background checks were conducted to ensure that everyone on set had been thoroughly vetted.
‘There are very rigorous processes in place to protect all participants. All participants on MAFS undergo extensive background vetting, including police checks,’ they said.
‘Nine offers a confidential, 24/7 wellbeing and safety line of support and is designed to assist with self-care and provide preventive wellbeing with access to healthcare, mental health and wellbeing support and safety features.
‘Any information shared through this service is completely confidential and no information is shared with anyone from Nine or ESA. This service is free of charge and available to the participants for as long as they need.’
The controversy follows a string of scandals surrounding the franchise in recent years, including uproar over groom Paul Antoine punching a wall during an argument with his on-screen wife Carina Mirabile.
The incident was condemned on-air by the show’s relationship experts as ‘toxic, unacceptable’.
This year’s season also sparked backlash after groom Tyson Gordon made comments about wanting a ‘submissive and obedient wife’, drawing criticism from federal minister Tanya Plibersek.
‘I really do think the makers of this show need to think twice before platforming this sort of misogyny,’ Plibersek said.
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