MAFSAUS 8 thread 3 - awkwardly Drawing each other like one of your French girls.

[bonkersbirdie]

New thread before the old one disappears- ready for Monday's commitment ceremony!

Made it all about Bec ‘targeting my wife’, wrote leave then crossed it out and put stay. Apparently he originally put leave so he could get Melissa out of the toxic environment… Patrick called him out on that making no sense as it would only work if she put leave too.

Thanks @Sunbird24 He's such a knob.

I was really angry that the ixperts forced Melissa into going into excruciating detail about her feelings for Bryce. Why? I mean, he basically now has every single weapon he needs to continue to abuse her, courtesy of those shocking frauds.

@PleasantBirthday

I was really angry that the ixperts forced Melissa into going into excruciating detail about her feelings for Bryce. Why? I mean, he basically now has every single weapon he needs to continue to abuse her, courtesy of those shocking frauds.

I agree, they should be struck off or whatever the equivalent for crap TV therapist's is!

I'm so cross I even added a rogue apostrophe

@GreenLunchBox

Bruce is such a sadist

Feel so sorry for Melissa. It's a shame she's such a doormat, because she is attractive, kind and articulate. Basically would make anyone a lovely partner if she wasn't so frighteningly passive.

He was a radio announcer in Canberra. Which he no longer has. People have said he was really shit at it so I doubt they'll want him back.

I need to catch up today but I feel like I've seen it now that I've read all your comments (I can't help myself!)

My abusive ex husband used to do the whole 'me and you against the world' thing, same as Bryce. Some men really are cunts aren't they. I never use that word but nothing else will do in this scenario.

The responsible thing would be for E4 to put a warning up before the program and contact numbers for women’s aid afterwards.

@GreenLunchBox

Bruce is such a sadist

Feel so sorry for Melissa. It's a shame she's such a doormat, because she is attractive, kind and articulate. Basically would make anyone a lovely partner if she wasn't so frighteningly passive.

I actually think that watching this I have admiration for Bec. Because it's better to be a Bec and have high standards and not take anything less than respect and what you deserve, than being a passive Melissa and Georgia willing to take cookies from any man who looks your way.

Maybe we all need to be a bit more Bec

these professionals are seriously remiss in relation to Melissa and allowing Bryce to behave like that while making her so exposed. Really awful

@supercritter

these professionals are seriously remiss in relation to Melissa and allowing Bryce to behave like that while making her so exposed. Really awful

I agree and was about to write something similar because Melissa is being blatantly abused on their watch and they have a duty of care for these people. Bryce's LEAVE was done on purpose to shake Melissa up and play on her fears of abandonment.

The duty of care is interesting - is there anyone looking after these people on a daily basis? The producers must see so much, do they do anything? Is it only if someone is in genuine physical danger that they might intervene?

I found it really shocking that one one of the ixperts nailed Bryce to the wall and forced him to explain exactly what he meant by that dick move. They just pretty much shrugged and said, off you go so, we've given you all the ammunition you need to abuse Melissa and you've already started using it, have a lovely week.

The duty of care extends to having chosen someone to come on the show who clearly needs help. Melissa looks to me as though she dissociates when under stress. It's why she finds it difficult to get out her words. She looks stressed and traumatised. She's already admitted that she is terrified of abandonment and doesn't voice her feelings in case Bryce leaves her. Knowing that, Bryce puts LEAVE on the card to put the fear of god into her and get her back under control. All these red flags have been present from the beginning and Bryce is sadistic, he's getting off on playing on her fears. He did the same with the pictures, the colour of her eyes, the 'not my type' comments when he is clearly punching - Melissa is much more attractive than him and he wants to bring her down and stomp on her self esteem.

But they have a formalised duty of care is what I mean? Obviously, on a human level they have a general duty of care, but is there any standard they are expected to meet, any regulations they are expected to comply with?

@PleasantBirthday

But they have a formalised duty of care is what I mean? Obviously, on a human level they have a general duty of care, but is there any standard they are expected to meet, any regulations they are expected to comply with?

Each couple has a producer but I doubt a producer knows the ins and outs of abuse, especially when it's not physical which is what most people think of when talking about abuse. It's the therapists I'm talking about here as they have a duty of care towards clients. I don't know how it works on a show like this. But Melissa and Bryce's problems have been evident from the beginning. I imagine the experts talked to them before the show to make sure they were psychologically ready for it as it's pretty intense. They aren't pulling Bryce up enough on his disgusting behaviour towards her.

The 'us against the world' comment from Melissa will have sent a shudder through anyone trained in DV as that's how it starts. The couple isolate them from friends and family. Melissa even said 'I only listen to Bryce' when other people are trying to warn her about his behaviour. Bec is trying to warn her that he was flirting with her and has another girlfriend and Melissa is not listening.

It's very disturbing to watch. I understand that there were record complaints for this series due to DV.

Under with the country's media watchdog ACMA receiving more than 50 complaints. Season eight was the most complained-about series in MAFSA history.
www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1513826/married-at-first-sight-australia-bryce-gaslighting-investigation

(The link has spoilers)

It really felt to me that Bryce writing leave was to punish Melissa for talking to Bec at the dinner party the night before. It was like a warning -'if you do that to me, then this is what I will do to you'

@charliemay101

It really felt to me that Bryce writing leave was to punish Melissa for talking to Bec at the dinner party the night before. It was like a warning -'if you do that to me, then this is what I will do to you'

Absolutely. He was furious that she moved away from him at the dinner party. Agree with all the pp saying how unnerving the constant arm stroking is, it’s not a nice comforting thing. Having been in an extremely abusive relationship in the past, it makes me shudder. I was also appalled at the experts just.. accepting Bryce and his behaviour. They seem to tiptoe around him for some unknown reason.

There's a petition that had 10,000 signatures which says

The petition, meanwhile, argues Melissa has been subjected to 'gaslighting, emotional manipulation, isolation, and countless other textbook signs of a controlling and or abusive relationship'
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9424875/Married-Sight-slammed-domestic-violence-groups-amid-Bryce-Melissa-scandal.html

(it's in the Daily Heil and there may be spoilers)

The petition says that the show has failed in its duty of care to women in the show.

Bec comes across really well, she's said what happened really clearly and without shouting in frustration. Totally believe her.

I think Bryce will struggle with the retreat as he won't be able to isolate Melissa and avoid her interacting with the others.

Judging by how annoyed he was when Melissa moved away at the dinner party god knows what he'll be like.

It wouldn't surprise me if he storms off or gets her to leave with him.

Just catching up and aaarghhh I'm so annoyed!!! Stop playing the victim Bryce, you absolute COCK! And please wake up Melissa. Bec is a bully?! He's the bully. Come on John ixpert, you need to step up here.

I don't understand why the ixperts were do ready to challenge James's behaviour going as far as spelling out that he was gaslighting Jo, but are not doing the same to Bryce!! They are telling him what Melissa's fears are which he then blatantly uses to further undermine and control her.

I feel so uncomfortable watching this.

@LublinToDublin

I don't understand why the ixperts were do ready to challenge James's behaviour going as far as spelling out that he was gaslighting Jo, but are not doing the same to Bryce!! They are telling him what Melissa's fears are which he then blatantly uses to further undermine and control her.

I feel so uncomfortable watching this.

Completely agree. I actually thought that they'd (especially John) stepped up this series. Not the case for Bryce at all. Surely they can see it.

Yes I was so impressed with how they pulled John up. Maybe more is to come.