The End Violence Against Women (EVAW) Coalition has joined Women's Aid and Refuge in calling out "misogynistic and abusive behaviour" on 'Love Island'.
End Violence Against Women Coalition calls out 'misogynistic behaviour' on Love Island
The UK-based coalition of individuals and organisations, which campaigns to end all forms of violence against women, has taken to Twitter to voice their concerns about some of the behaviours on the current series - which is hosted by Laura Whitmore - and called for change.
A series of tweets on the EVAW Coalition page read: "#LoveIsland is a cultural phenomenon, reaching millions of young people across the country. We join @WomensAid @RefugeCharity and viewers in calling out the unchecked misogynistic and abusive behaviour we see year after year
"From TV shows to the news, the media has a massive influence on our collective attitudes to sex and relationships.
It also has an important role to play in challenging harmful beliefs and behaviours rather than perpetuating them
"Popular culture has the power to create positive change and help build a world where abuse is no longer tolerated.
"With countless former #LoveIsland contestants speaking out about the endless racist and misogynistic abuse they face online, change has never been more needed"
It comes after domestic abuse charity Women's Aid told how they are in talks with ITV about the latest series of 'Love Island' after viewers accused some of the Islanders of "misogyny" and "controlling behaviour".
Teresa Parker, Women's Aid communications chief, admitted it is "important to be talking" to the broadcaster about the issues, after a backlash from viewers over how some of the male contestants were acting towards the female Islanders.
She wrote on Twitter: "Really pleased to say that we @womensaid are now in discussions with @LoveIsland about the issues raised on the show - so important to be talking."
A post on the Women's Aid Twitter account read: "It's a really positive move for us to be in discussion with the team at @LoveIsland about how we can work together moving forward, to address the issues and concerns raised. Thank you to our followers on Twitter for reaching out to us about this. #EndAbuseTogether"
Domestic abuse charity Refuge have also voiced their "increasing" concerns about the show.
In a series of tweets, they wrote: “Refuge is increasingly concerned about the misogynistic and abusive behaviours being displayed in this year’s series of #LoveIsland. Full response from Refuge CEO @RuthKDavison below
"Love Island has a huge audience, particularly amongst young people and Refuge urge the producers of the show to recognise and respond to abusive behaviour when it happens. Popular culture has an important role to play in challenging these behaviours rather than perpetuating them
"Gaslighting and emotional manipulation are types of behaviour that can displayed by perpetrators of domestic abuse. Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse and is a crime. That this behaviour appears to be being carried out by some men in the villa and
"broadcast as entertainment is extremely troubling and should be called out. Refuge is pleased to hear Love Island are now in discussions with @womensaid about starting to address these issues and Refuge would of course be pleased to input into these important discussions. (sic)"
‘Love Island’ airs at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub. Episodes are available the following morning on BritBox. The dating reality show can be seen in Ireland on Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Player.
Tagged in Gemma Owen