Channel 4 has announced that it commissioned an external review into contributor welfare on Married at First Sight UK (MAFS UK) in April this year after allegations of rape and sexual assault of contestants emerged through a BBC Panorama investigation.
The announcement follows the Panorama investigation in which two former women contestants on MAFS UK say they were raped by their on-screen partner during the making of the programme with another woman telling the BBC she was subjected to a non-consensual sex act by her on-screen partner.
Channel 4 has now removed all previous seasons of MAFS UK from its streaming and linear services as well as Channel 4’s MAFS UK social channels while the review takes place.
MAFS UK is a reality show which sees single people – matched by experts – ‘marry’ strangers who they meet for the first time on their wedding day. It is produced for Channel 4 by production company CPL.
The women told the BBC the programme did not do enough to protect them.
In response, Channel 4 has said: “MAFS UK is produced under some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry. These include the most thorough background checks available, a Code of Conduct which clearly sets out behavioural standards, daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team and access to additional support before, during and after filming. The physical and psychological wellbeing of all contributors is of paramount importance throughout the process. All duty of care processes are regularly reviewed and, where appropriate, strengthened.”
Channel 4 says that “when concerns related to contributor welfare were raised through existing welfare and production protocols, prompt and appropriate action was taken, based on the information available at the time. Channel 4 strongly refutes any claim to the contrary.”
Channel 4’s new CEO, Priya Dogra subsequently instructed an external review of contributor welfare on MAFS UK last month.
Law firm Clyde & Co is examining the welfare protocols in place on the programme at the time claims were raised, as well as the handling by Channel 4 and CPL of those claims.
Alongside the lawyer-led review, Channel 4 has commissioned former BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey to “examine if any changes should be made to current protocols for MAFS UK to further strengthen contributor welfare.”
Priya Dogra, Chief Executive of Channel 4 said; “I want to express my sympathy to contributors who have clearly been distressed after taking part in Married at First Sight UK. The wellbeing of our contributors is always of paramount importance.
“It would be wholly inappropriate for me to comment on what are very serious allegations made against some MAFS UK contributors. Those allegations – which I understand are disputed by the contributors accused – are not something that Channel 4 is in a position to adjudicate on. We are also mindful of our ongoing duty of care to all contributors, and the need to preserve the anonymity and privacy of all involved.
“On the claims that Channel 4 may have failed in its duty of care, I believe that when concerns about contributor welfare were raised, and based on the information available at the time, Channel 4 acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with wellbeing front and centre.
“Nevertheless, because we aspire to the highest standards of contributor welfare, I felt strongly as Channel 4’s new CEO that it was right that we look again at how we handled issues raised at the time and ask whether changes should be made to further strengthen contributor welfare.
“That’s why last month I commissioned an external review of contributor welfare on MAFS UK. That review will report to me in the coming months.
“We take these issues very seriously and are committed to ensuring that we continue to lead the industry in our duty of care for contributors.”
Jon Creamer
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