The Real Harm of Reality TV: Married at First Sight Sensationalising Abuse

Reality TV is known to be highly produced and edited content that profits off controversies and drama, both on screen and off.

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The latest season of Australia’s favourite reality TV show, Married at First Sight (MAFS), has sparked criticism for how it has handled domestic violence.

In February, South Sydney Police launched an investigation into the show after participant, Carina, revealed on screen that her new husband had punched a wall during an argument.  

SafeWork NSW have also opened an investigation following several complaints from this year’s participants.

Specialist Family Violence Accredited Social Worker, Christine Craik, said the way the show handled the alleged violence was harmful and the accused husband, Paul, “should’ve been out”. 

“The women watching that need to see that that’s not okay and men seeing that need to see that's not okay and there are consequences for that behaviour."

According to the 2022 Australian Bureau of Statistics Media release, 1 in 5 Australians have been exposed to partner violence or abuse. 

Craik said it is important for audiences to see how to deal with such abuse, however the show “missed the opportunity to do so”. 

Whilst the show has a diverse audience, Channel Nine revealed that it particularly targets the key demographic of people aged 16-39. 

The ABS states 68% of Australians have at least one concern about the potential negative effects of reality TV on viewers. 

Many of the show’s viewers have questioned why MAFS included the violence on the show.

RMIT Student Sidney McGrath, has followed some of the series and experienced the intense saturation of related content on social media. 

She said that the display of abuse is used by producers “as clickbait to get more views”. 

McGrath also highlighted some of the hidden misogyny the show tries to hide. 

“The show is manipulated by producers to get more views, causing drama which typically is at the expense of a female contestant,” she said.

Over a third of Australians think that reality TV portrays women in a demeaning way. However very little is being done to prevent this, according to the same ABS study. 

Contestant Carina told the MAFS Funny Podcast that Paul didn’t give her any signs of violence. 

The show's duty of care for participants has been questioned and audiences hope next season will better navigate discussions and portrayals of domestic abuse.