Women’s Aid Has Praised Love Island Viewers For Calling Out Joe’s ‘Possessive Behaviour’

Domestic violence charity Women’s Aid has praised Love Island viewers for calling out Joe’s ‘possessive behaviour’ towards Lucie.

It comes after Sunday night’s episode, in which Joe criticised Lucie’s friendship with boxer Tommy Fury – he told her it was “strange” and “disrespectful”, and said he thought it was “time for [her] to get close with the girls”.

Many viewers saw red flags in this conversation:

Lucie and Tommy’s whispering was rude. But Joes behaviour screams huge red flags 🚩 he is extremely controlling and unlike Curtis who works through things and communicates with Amy, Joe wants to control the way Lucie behaves because it hurts his ego #LoveIsland

— Nadia Essex (@LadyNadiaEssex) June 16, 2019

https://twitter.com/jambamberry/status/1140355899871125504

Joe is a walking red flag. You wouldn’t be cool for someone you’re seeing to have male friends? LOL who asked for your permission anyway #LoveIsland

— snoochie shy (@snoochieshy) June 16, 2019

After the episode aired, over 300 viewers complained to British broadcasting watchdogs Ofcom about Joe’s treatment of Lucie.

Speaking about the complaints, Adina Claire of Women’s Aid said that Love Island viewers recognising and calling out signs of control was a ‘positive development’.

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.

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.

This isn’t the first time viewers have accused Joe of manipulating or being possessive towards Lucie – in the first few episodes of the show, he got angry when Lucie was chosen to go on a date with Tommy, telling her he didn’t think he could ‘trust’ her anymore.

A spokesperson for Love Island responded to the worries about Lucie, saying they “take the emotional wellbeing of all the Islanders extremely seriously” and that the contestants are able to talk to professionals at any time in the villa.

Longford woman Maura Higgins has also been the subject of complaints to Ofcom – 486 viewers objected to the moment in Friday night’s episode in which she straddled Tommy Fury and attempted to kiss him, despite him saying no and looking uncomfortable.

Right I'm not being funny but. Maura is 28. Tommy is 20. She is objectifying him, commenting on his body constantly, hasn't mentioned a single thing about his personality AND IS FORCING HIM TO KISS HER. I'm just saying if this was a guy there would be a war #loveisland

— Georgia🧚‍♀️👑 (@Geelicious___) June 14, 2019

Soooo Sherif is kicked out the villa for play fighting and accidentally hitting someone but Maura can be a sexual predator towards tommy and stay in the villa?🤔 Fucked up that is #loveisland

— Char (@charrdodd) June 15, 2019

Whatever you think about Love Island, it’s clear that it’s helping people become more and more aware of what not to do in relationships.

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