AN INCIDENT WHICH took place in the Celebrity Big Brother house on Wednesday has drawn the attention of domestic abuse charity, Women’s Aid.

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In last night’s episode of the reality TV show, Roxanne Pallett expressed considerable upset after she and fellow housemate, Ryan Thomas, engaged in what appeared to be play-fighting in the dining area of the house.

After calling Ryan a ‘womanbeater’, Roxanne went into the bedroom and said:

I’ve just been beaten up by Corrie’s Jason Grimshaw. Ow. Big Brother, that hurt.

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The former Emmerdale actress, who has been vocal about her past experience of abusive relationships, then went to the Diary Room and asked to speak to a producer.

I need to talk to somebody in production about something’s that happened that’s made me feel really uncomfortable. 

Subsequently, Ryan was issued with a formal warning by Big Brother bosses in a move which has sparked considerable outrage among viewers on social media as well as peers within the entertainment industry who have defended Ryan against Roxanne’s allegations.

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In light of events, domestic abuse charity, Women’s Aid, spoke to OK! online, and offered an explanation into Roxanne’s tearful reaction.

Play fighting may not seem serious but if you have been in an abusive relationship it can seem frightening and even trigger memories of the abuse. 

They continued:

Domestic abuse means you don’t feel safe in your home environment, and as a woman who has previously spoken about being in a violent and abusive relationship, Roxanne clearly did not feel comfortable going to sleep in the same room as someone who had physically hurt her, even if that was not his intention.

Given the level of outrage currently directed at Roxanne, the charity are keen to stress the importance of displaying empathy towards survivors of domestic abuse.

That’s why it is so important for us to show understanding and empathy for someone who is clearly upset by certain behaviours rather than blaming them for overreacting. For any survivors out there, you are not alone. Women’s Aid is always here to listen to you, believe you and support you.

This is not the first time the charity have weighed in on events which have played out on reality television shows.

Earlier this summer, they commented on an exchange which took place between two contestants on Love Island.

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