Filmed in the shower, non-consensual touching: MAFS allegations revealed

Married at First Sight participants have alleged a pattern of unsafe behaviour on the show, including a bride being filmed in the shower without her knowledge, non-consensual touching by a groom, and production staff blocking exits to stop cast members from leaving the set.

The reality show was issued three SafeWork NSW improvement notices after several participants and a viewer at home raised allegations about an unsafe working environment on the show last year.

This masthead can reveal details of the allegations made against grooms and crew to SafeWork NSW after documents were obtained under freedom of information laws. Among them was a situation report provided to SafeWork Minister Sophie Cotsis last year which describes the allegations as potentially serious psychosocial hazards.

The allegations were investigated after a viewer complained to SafeWork NSW about a groom punching a hole in a wall, raising work health and safety concerns for the cast and crew. Three participants went on to make a slew of allegations against fellow participants and crew.

The document describes allegations of “violence and aggression by producers and grooms on the show including non-consensual touching by a groom”.

This masthead does not suggest the allegations are true, only that they have been made and were the subject of a SafeWork NSW investigation. Married at First Sight is broadcast by Nine Entertainment, also the owner of this masthead.

Nine said it took participants’ safety seriously and had fully co-operated with SafeWork’s inquiries.

In one incident revealed in the documents, a bride alleged being filmed while showering without her knowledge or consent, and other participants complained of a general lack of privacy including production staff having keys to apartments to access at any time, and not allowing the cast to remove their microphones while using the bathroom.

Participants told SafeWork NSW they were threatened and intimidated if they tried to leave the production or when they asked not to be filmed if they were too unwell. At least one participant accused film crews of physically blocking exits to prevent the cast from leaving.

Other allegations include extremely long filming hours, with just six or seven hours’ break between shoots; being confined to apartments under curfew and banned from speaking to other participants; and being “baited and harassed” by producers to encourage emotional responses.

As a result of inquiries, SafeWork NSW ordered production to improve reporting of notifiable incidents (events that include dangerous incidents, injuries or death), systems to manage physical and psychological hazards, and work health and safety training.

A fifth inquiry into potential psychosocial hazards on the show was launched last year after former MAFS groom Lachlan Rofe died suddenly, aged 47. His death occurred outside of production, and there is no suggestion his death was connected to the show.

SafeWork NSW said all inquiries were now closed but it was monitoring compliance. Endemol Shine was contacted for comment.

A Nine Entertainment spokesperson said the company and Endemol Shine took their obligations to participants extremely seriously, and that all contestants had access to a psychologist and welfare resources.

“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.

“We’ve co-operated with SafeWork NSW’s inquiries to Nine and will continue to do so as required.”

Cotsis said the SafeWork NSW commissioner will meet executives at Endemol Shine in coming weeks to ensure policies are in place to prevent risks to participants.

“These allegations are deeply concerning. The production studio where this program is filmed is the workplace of these participants – they deserve to feel safe,” Cotsis said.

The show has faced a number of controversies in recent years, including groom Paul Antoine’s punching of a wall during an argument with his on-screen wife. The incident was discussed openly on the show and called out by the show’s relationship experts as toxic and unacceptable.

This year’s season faced criticism from federal minister Tanya Plibersek after participant Tyson Gordon made comments about wanting a submissive and obedient wife. His behaviour was also called out by experts.

“I really do think the makers of this show need to think twice before platforming this sort of misogyny,” Plibersek said.

The UK version of the program has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks after BBC’s Panorama aired allegations from two women who claimed they were raped during the filming of the show. The UK program is made by a different company from the Australian version.

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