CONTENT WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SUGGESTION OF EMOTIONAL ABUSE IN RELATIONSHIPS.
Bachelor In Paradise puts humans in an unnatural setting, points cameras at them and manipulates them into creating a story good enough for entertainment. It’s mostly fake.
Every now and then, something very raw and human slips through the cracks and we’re suddenly exposed to a scene or a moment that wasn’t scripted.
This happened on Bachelor In Paradise through contestants, Ivan and Tenille.
How would you describe Ivan?
Tenille: #BachelorInParadiseAU pic.twitter.com/7WD7gxt65q
— Bachelor In Paradise Australia (@BachParadiseAU) April 23, 2019
Ivan has a very forward personality, but that doesn’t excuse his obsessive behaviour towards Tenille. It’s actually uncomfortable to watch because it’s just far too familiar of a situation.
In the short time that Ivan has known Tenille, he has displayed signs of emotional manipulation towards her including; stalking, obsession and physical intimidation.
All signs of emotional abuse are listed on whiteribbon.org.au. If you are affected by this in any way, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
Viewers of Bachelor In Paradise were quick to realise that this behaviour in any kind of relationship is absolutely not on.
no man should ever make you feel guilty for pulling back from a relationship that makes you feel uncomfortable. ivan is trash. #bachelorinparadiseau pic.twitter.com/K2HTdH6PEi
— 잘자 우리 종현아. (@BlSEXUALPIPER) April 23, 2019
I’m genuinely really distressed by this season of #BachelorinParadiseAU
these men are immature and hyper emotional and manipulative and fucked
— Katie K (@_katiekendall_) April 23, 2019
For those wondering why Tenille doesn’t just walk away from this relationship, she’s tried. More often than not, emotionally abusive relationships are the hardest to walk away from, not because you want to stay, but because you’re afraid of what will happen if you leave.
It’s a terrifying thing, especially for a woman, to be intimidated into staying in a one-sided relationship.
This show is a sugarcoated example of how scary it is to be a woman ? from bills gaslighting to Ivan seeing red when things aren’t going his way eugh gross #BachelorInParadiseAU
— Karenah (@choomchoomkaren) April 23, 2019
Ivan reminds each of a bloke I had one coffee with & he started sitting outside my house daily?#BachelorInParadiseAU
— jO (@joferguson9) April 23, 2019
Bachelor In Paradise needs to be more careful when showing hyper-amplified examples of abusive relationships on TV, without a warning.
I think showing this relationship is important for viewers to understand what it’s like to watch someone go through it, but I can’t help but wonder if (and hope) Tenille is being properly supported through this.
IF YOU ARE AFFECTED BY THIS IN ANY WAY, PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT 1800 RESPECT OR LIFELINE ON 13 11 14