Women’s Aid Speaks Out on Harrison’s ‘Petrifying’ Behaviour on Love Island
Domestic violence charity Women’s Aid has issued a strong public statement condemning the recent actions of Love Island contestant Harrison Solomon, describing his behaviour towards fellow islanders Lauren and Toni as “petrifying” and emblematic of persistent misogyny and sexism in reality television.
What Sparked the Statement
The controversy erupted after Harrison returned from Casa Amor and rekindled intimacy with Lauren, including sleeping with her twice, only to later recouple with his original partner, Toni—whom he continued chatting up and manipulating without full disclosure. The 22-year-old’s actions left both women visibly distressed and many viewers deeply unsettled.
Women’s Aid Response
Communications Manager Jessye Werner voiced strong concerns:
“In recent years, Love Island and other forms of reality TV have been repeatedly called out … for allowing in contestants that had a history of abusive, coercive and manipulative behaviour.”
“Women are often lied to, slut-shamed and manipulated … Misogyny and sexism lay the foundation for the tolerance of abuse and violence … More must be done to educate contestants on sexism and misogyny.”
The charity praised fans who swiftly condemned the behaviour on social platforms and warned that permissive portrayals of toxic conduct—like that exhibited by Harrison—can normalise emotional abuse and manipulation.
Viewer and Villa Impact
Social media users widely described Harrison as “one of the most sickening men ever” to appear on the show, branding his actions “disgusting”—and expressing how his behaviour mentally hurt both Toni and Lauren.
Even inside the villa, islanders voiced discomfort; contestant Emily Moran said Harrison “terrifies” her due to his intense and flirty demeanour.
Love Island’s Duty of Care Protocol
In response, ITV reiterated its welfare measures, including contestant training in respectful relationships, mental health support during filming, and post-show counseling—components of its ongoing strategy to mitigate harmful dynamics.
Why This Matters
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Reinforces deeper issues: Women’s Aid stressed that Harrison’s actions are symptomatic not just of one man’s misconduct, but part of a broader cultural problem with misogyny and emotional abuse.
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Reality-TV responsibility: The incident raises questions about how much responsibility mainstream entertainment carries in reinforcing or challenging sexist behaviour.
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Public accountability: Viewers—and Women’s Aid—hold shows like Love Island accountable when manipulative behaviour is glamorized or treated as inevitable drama.
What Comes Next?
With Harrison reportedly having left the villa amid the fallout, the situation prompts a broader debate on whether reality TV producers must take tougher steps—beyond existing duty-of-care measures—to prevent casting and broadcasting toxic personalities.
Bottom Line: The criticisms voiced by Women’s Aid echo wider social concerns about how reality shows like Love Island can inadvertently normalise emotional manipulation and sexism. Their call for enhanced contestant education and producer accountability reflects a growing demand that entertainment should not come at the cost of emotional wellbeing or the reinforcement of toxic social behaviours.