Some behaviour on the British reality TV show Love Island is on the cusp of emotional abuse.
That's according to barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman, who specialises in violence against women.
It comes as UK regulator Ofcom received over 3,600 complaints about the show in a week, with the majority about alleged misogynistic behaviour by some of the male contestants.
Domestic abuse charity Women's Aid has spoken to ITV about inclusion training given to contestants - saying it is missing key information about controlling behaviour and abusive relationships.
ITV said it 'cannot stress highly enough how seriously we treat the emotional well-being of all of our Islanders'.
Dr Proudman told The Hard Shoulder such abuse needs to be highlighted.
"I think there's something particularly awful about the fact that it does come into your home, as well.
"We all watch this as a form of entertainment, as titulation or a bit of fun.
"But of course what you're seeing is the real lives of individual contestants play out before your very eyes.
"Unfortunately it's descended into - what I describe as - gaslighting, even cusping on emotional abuse.
"Swearing, aggressive behaviour, and there most definitely is a gender dynamic here in men perpetrating this against women.
"And it does make you feel extremely uncomfortable and uneasy, especially as no one seems to be calling it out on Love Island itself and certainly not ITV.
"Clearly they have a duty to do so".
And Dr Proudman believes while this is nothing new for the show, the reaction is different.
"It's always been very toxic, I think perhaps what we're seeing now though is a heightened awareness of things such as gaslighting - which before wasn't part of our vocabulary.
"And now we're able to call it out.
"Many people say 'Love Island is fake, it's not real': How many people watching that actually understand that when you're 13 or 14?
"And how many people actually, then, try and replicate it - not to mention all the people of course who want to be on this show".
Gaslighting is an emotionally abusive strategy that causes someone to question their feelings, thoughts and sanity.
Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact Women's Aid National Freephone Helpline on 1800-341-900
