Love Island faces backlash as Women’s Aid accuse ITV show of reinforcing ‘misogyny and sexism’ as they release statement addressing Harrison’s ‘disgusting’ behaviour

Love Island has faced backlash from Women’s Aid after Tuesday night’s episode as Harrison’s antics sent fans into a fury as his love triangle with Lauren and Toni continued. 

After a rollercoaster relationship with Toni, Harrison returned from Casa Amor last week with Lauren. 

However he and Toni have continued flirting and have had secret chats on the terrace, with Harrison often telling Toni one thing and Lauren another. 

On Tuesday fans were left fuming as they branded Harrison ‘disgusting’ after he appeared to have sex with Lauren before later crawling back to Toni, who does not know the full extent of Harrison’s intimate actions. 

And now Women’s Aid have spoken out on his behaviour as they insisted the ITV reality show is continuing to reinforce misogyny and sexism. 

Communications Manager at Women’s Aid Jessye Werner said that while production companies have been making steps to call out toxic behaviours more must be done. 

Love Island has faced backlash as Women’s Aid accused the ITV show of reinforcing ‘misogyny and sexism’ as they release statement addressing Harrison’s ‘petrifying’ behaviour

Lauren was left in tears on Tuesday after Harrison crawled back to Toni despite appearing to have had sex with Lauren less than 24 hours before

She told The Tab: ‘Despite these positive steps, we still see unhealthy patterns of behaviour on these shows, showing just how steeped in misogyny and sexism our society still is. 

‘Women are often lied to, slut-shamed and manipulated, as well as laughed at behind their backs. Misogyny and sexism lay the foundation for the tolerance of abuse and violence – it reinforces a culture that excuses and trivialises violence against women and girls.

‘More must be done to educate contestants on sexism and misogyny, and it is a great credit to viewers who take to social media, continuing to call out these behaviours as soon as they see them.’

At the end of Tuesday’s episode Lauren was left sobbing after Toni chose to recouple with Harrison after he expressed his desire to give things another go despite appearing to have taken things to the next level with Lauren. 

Yet ITV has highlighted they carry out extensive duty of care protocols during, before and after filming. 

These include suspending social media, training in language and behaviour and ongoing support and welfare sessions. 

Their guidelines state: ‘All Islanders will complete video training and guidance across a range of topics to include mutually respectful behaviour in relationships, behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour and language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and microaggressions before they meet their fellow Islanders.’

Women’s Aid have spoken out on his behaviour as they insisted the ITV reality show is continuing to reinforce misogyny and sexism (Toni pictured) 

Their representative said: ‘Misogyny and sexism lay the foundation for the tolerance of abuse and violence – it reinforces a culture that excuses and trivialises violence against women and girls’ 

On Tuesday Harrison was seen whispering across the beds as he asked Harry whether he had a condom 

On Tuesday Harrison was seen whispering across the beds as he asked Harry whether he had a condom. 

After Harry passed the wrapper to his friend, Lauren was seen climbing on top of Harrison before the camera panned away to show their islanders shocked faces. 

And the next day as Lauren chatted with Helena and Meg, she confessed it wasn’t the first time the couple had slept together as she admitted they had gone all the way the other night too. 

Yet despite the intimacy, Harrison was quick to change his mind on who he had a greater connection with as he went crawling back to Toni after news of a shock recoupling. 

Speaking to Harry he confessed: ‘I want Toni’ before he met with her on the terrace to beg her to give him another chance. 

And shockingly Toni once again chose to give things another go with her former flame, despite insisting she was ‘done’ earlier in the episode. 

Yet it seems Toni may not know the full story, with fans speculating she doesn’t know he and Lauren appeared to have had sex. 

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, fans didn’t hold back with their comments as they penned: ‘Harrison is disgusting you’re having sex with Lauren knowing you don’t even like her and Lauren is just a whole mess both of you go home I’m sick of it’.

‘And she still doesn’t know he’s sh****d Lauren twice this is so dirty someone intervene’;

Shockingly Toni once again chose to give things another go with her former flame, despite insisting she was ‘done’ earlier in the episode

‘I beg Lauren stands up and mentions they sh****d twice Harrison ain’t even told Toni yet loool’;

‘this is embarrassing for Toni’; ‘nah Toni, girl you’ve just lost the bag’;

‘Harrison you CANNOT be crawling back to Toni now after having sex with Lauren and not being honest with her about it’; 

‘Harrison having sex with Lauren then running back to Toni ?! I know Lauren shouldn’t have but this is all on Harrison’;

‘had sex with lauren TWICE mind you, now he wants toni back’; ‘Harrison wants Toni but he’s having sex with Lauren. Toni and Harrison are such weirdos’;

‘Harrison asking for a condom and proceeding to have sex in a room full of people ??? Disgusting’;

‘How do they feel so comfortable having sex with people in the room?!’; ‘Having sex with other people in the room is one thing, but on NATIONAL TV??’;

‘Where is Toni sleeping? Cos if Harrison & Lauren are having sex in the same room, the respect is below hell’;

‘harrison and lauren are CRAZY bc how are you having sex in a room full of people AND asking for a condom’.