Every time a Love Island boy’s behaviour was so bad a charity had to call it out

There have been plenty of moments as well as Adam Collard’s

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Love Island isn’t exactly an exhibition of healthy relationships. Dramatic, dysfunctional, and downright deceitful behaviour is pretty much the point of the show. And with Adam Collard’s explosive return, people have been talking about these moments more again.

Over the years there have been a few times things have gotten so bad a charity has had to step in and issue a warning. Most recently, last year, Women’s Aid had to let viewers know Danny’s behaviour towards Lucinda was gaslighting and manipulative.

And, yes, every time it has been a guy’s behaviour towards a girl.

In 2018, it said Adam’s behaviour towards Rosie sparked concerns of ’emotional abuse’

Originally coupled up with Rosie, but had his head turned by Zara McDermott. Rosie confronted Adam and said he’d been ignoring her. Adam said he didn’t “need to reassure” Rosie, accused her of acting like a child, and called her defensive.

Women’s Aid said: “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.”

After being evicted, Adam said he “didn’t intentionally try to upset anyone”, but admitted he “could’ve been a bit more sensitive”. Rosie also went on This Morning to say she didn’t believe Adam’s behaviour was abusive.

The year after, it warned Joe’s behaviour towards Lucie was ‘possessive’

Try, if you can, to imagine a time when Tommy and Molly-Mae weren’t together. Back when Tommy entered the villa, he went on a date with Lucie.

Lucie’s villa partner at the time, Joe Garratt, didn’t take it well – later telling Lucie he thought it was “strange” she hung around with Tommy so much, and pointing out they’d hung out for a “good hour”.

While Amy was quick to call the behaviour a red flag, Women’s Aid issued a statement warning that Joe’s behaviour was possessive.

“Controlling behaviour is never acceptable, and with Love Island viewers complaining to Ofcom in record numbers about Joe’s possessive behaviour towards Lucie, more people are becoming aware of this and want to challenge it,” the charity said.

“Abusive relationships often start off with subtle signs of control, so it’s important that it is recognised at an early stage. Love Island viewers are now very vocal in calling out unhealthy behaviour between couples on the show, and this is a positive development.”

And then voiced its concern over ‘unhealthy fledgling relationships’ being used as entertainment, after Amber was repeatedly reduced to tears

Over the years, Casa Amor has caused Islanders its fair share of genuine emotional distress. But the end of Amber’s relationship with Michael – after he dumped her for Joanna in Casa Amor – prompted concern from Women’s Aid over what it saw as a growing trend.

“Women’s Aid is becoming increasingly concerned about what appear to be unhealthy fledgling relationships being used as entertainment in Love Island. Most recently, the programme has shown Amber repeatedly reduced to tears and appearing to have her emotions manipulated,” acting co-chief executive Adina Claire said.

“We hope that producers are looking after the wellbeing of the contestants and will step in when any form of behaviour becomes abusive. We have been contacted by a number of viewers on social media throughout the series about behaviour they are worried about, involving several contestants, and would ask producers to always take this seriously, and consider the messages being sent to viewers and contestants on the show.”

Last year, it called out Danny ‘gaslighting’ Lucinda and being ‘manipulative’ towards her

Danny, facing competition from Aaron, decided he wasn’t pleased with a perceived lack of attention from Lucinda and proceeded to pie her in a challenge.

He then dumped her because he wasn’t into chasing girls, and said he likes to “knock you down a couple of pegs.”

Danny’s casting has already attracted over 1,500 complaints to Ofcom, and Women’s Aid warned that his behaviour looked like “gaslighting, possessiveness, and manipulation”.

At the time, the charity said: “Last night, we saw the development of Danny and Lucinda’s relationship and became increasingly concerned with his behaviour towards her on screen, including what looked like gaslighting, possessiveness, and manipulation. This is not what a healthy relationship looks like. These are all tactics used by perpetrators of abuse.

“Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse which makes someone question their perception of reality. It is a form of coercive control, which has been a criminal offence since 2015.

“We urge the producers of Love Island to recognise coercive control when it is happening on the show, as this is not the first time it has happened. Producers should step in when any form of behaviour is abusive, as abuse should not be used for entertainment.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in a relationship, call the Freephone 24/7 National Domestic Violence Helpline, run by Women’s Aid in partnership with Refuge, on 0808 2000 247 or visit www.womensaid.org.uk.

Love Island 2022 continues on ITV2 at 9pm tonight. For all the latest Love Island news and gossip and for the best memes and quizzes, like The Holy Church of Love Island on Facebook. 

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