Women’s Aid has issued a statement on ‘Love Island’, in which they say Adam Collard’s behaviour towards Rosie Williams shows “warning signs” people should look out for.
Things had been going well for Adam and Rosie, who had previously taken their relationship to the next level in the bedroom, but when newcomer Zara McDermott caught the 22-year-old’s eye, he decided to ditch her.
The pair then had a tense confrontation on Tuesday’s show, during which Adam smirked as Rosie explained why she felt hurt and upset.
Katie Ghose, the chief executive of Women’s Aid, specifically addresses this confrontation in her statement.
It reads: “On the latest series of Love Island, there are clear warning signs in Adam’s behaviour.
“In a relationship, a partner questioning your memory of events, trivialising your thoughts or feelings, and turning things around to blame you can be part of pattern of gaslighting and emotional abuse.
“[On Tuesday], Rosie called out Adam’s unacceptable behaviour on the show.
“We ask viewers to join her in recognising unhealthy behaviour in relationships and speaking out against all forms of domestic abuse – emotional as well as physical.
“It is only when we make a stand together against abuse in relationships that we will see attitudes change and an end to domestic abuse.”
Ofcom also told HuffPost UK that Adam’s behaviour in Tuesday’s episode resulted in 21 complaints form viewers and Wednesday’s sparked another two.
This is not the first time Women’s Aid has commented on ‘Love Island’ as the 2017 series also prompted comments from the charity.
In a blog published on HuffPost UK, the charity’s CEO Polly Neate singled out Jonny Mitchell for saying another man “would have to prise Tyla from his cold, dead hands”.
“It did not demonstrate just how much he liked her and it certainly wasn’t funny,” she wrote. “It was possessive and controlling.
“For a survivor of domestic abuse watching, it would have been a chilling moment.
“The underlying sentiment was that this man believes he owns this woman. Often batted away as ‘laddish behaviour’, or ‘just a phrase’, in isolation one comment seems innocuous, but it’s not.
“Statements like this normalise the objectification of women and men’s power over us. They normalise sexism so that we accept it.”
Helplines and support...
- Refuge- Domestic violence help for women and children - 0808 2000 247
- Visit Women’s Aid- support for abused women and children – or call the National Domestic Violence Helpline, run by Women’s Aid and Refuge, on 0808 2000 247
- Broken Rainbow- The LGBT domestic violence charity - 0845 2 60 55 60
- Men’s Advice Linefor advice and support for men experiencing domestic violence and abuse - 0808 801 0327