Cliff Notes – Married at First Sight star claims they were sexually assaulted on honeymoon by new partner
- A contestant from Married at First Sight UK has reported an alleged sexual assault by their partner during their honeymoon, with the police confirming an ongoing investigation.
- Channel 4 stated they take such allegations seriously and have welfare protocols in place for cast members, while the incident has been described as a “nightmare scenario” for the show’s reputation.
- The show has faced criticism in the past for its contestant selection, particularly after backlash from Women’s Aid regarding a previous participant’s alleged abusive behaviour.
Married at First Sight star claims they were sexually assaulted on honeymoon by new partner
Married at First Sight star has reported an alleged sexual assault to the police. A Married at First Sight UK star has claimed they were sexually assaulted on their honeymoon by their newly-introduced partner.
The Channel 4 show seeks to pair strangers together who first meet at the altar and must decide whether to stay married after only eight weeks together.
The alleged incident is understood to have been brought to police on June 14 after the reality series couple returned from their luxury honeymoon which is provided as part of the process.
In a statement, the police confirmed to The Sun that they ‘received a report of a non-recent sexual assault on June 14. Enquiries remain ongoing.’
The identities of the couple cannot be disclosed although, per the Mail, scenes involving the pair have reportedly already been broadcast.
A Channel 4 spokesperson added to the publication that they are aware of report made of an ‘alleged sexual assault during the filming of a dinner party’.
‘nightmare scenario’
They continued: ‘We take any issues on the show incredibly seriously.
‘Producers follow strict welfare protocols as the wellbeing of the cast is always the first priority.
‘Support would be offered to anyone who wished to report a matter to the authorities, and naturally we would cooperate with any enquiries or investigations.’
Meanwhile the source described it as a ‘nightmare scenario’ for the already heavily scrutinised show.
‘Now it’s alleged someone was assaulted after tying the knot. It is a disastrous look for bosses,’ the insider explained.
The show has come under fire previously for the kind of contestants it platforms.
In September Women’s Aid slammed the show for welcoming contestant Alexander Henry after a group of women took to social media to brand him ‘dangerous’.
In September contestant Alex Henry landed the show in hot water with Women’s Aid
The domestic abuse charity said at the time: ‘Having seen the direct impact of abusive behaviours displayed on the show in previous years on survivors, we would have hoped that protection and tolerance levels for abuse would leave no room for perpetrators to be given a platform again, with their actions being televised as “Entertainment”.
‘Sadly, this decision demonstrates the lack of awareness that the production team still has when it comes to domestic abuse.’
Channel 4 pushed back saying that the welfare of their contestants was of ‘paramount importance’ and a criminal record check ‘carried out on the contributor raised in the allegation was returned clean’.
Season nine of the show wrapped up its reunion in February with the 10th expected to arrive in September.