Archive May 2, 2025

Megan Barton-Hanson took to Instagram to claim she has again been the victim of domestic abuse and said she is speaking out on the trauma as ‘silence helps no one’

Megan Barton Hanson has claimed she has been the victim of domestic abuse, revealing that she “feared” for her life in a relationship. The former Love Island star admitted she wasn’t going to open up on her ordeal, but said “silence helps no one”.

She candidly wrote a long statement on Instagram, claiming that an ex-partner became “violent” towards her. She said: “After my interview with Paul Brunson, I felt so hopeful – like I was finally in a place to open up to love again after surviving two previous experiences of domestic abuse.

“I never imagined I’d find myself in that situation again. But here I am, sharing yet another chapter of surviving coercive control and emotional abuse – because too many women can relate.”

The reality TV star said that despite her financial stability and career confidence, she was “manipulated, blamed, and made to feel worthless”. She claimed she was pressured to send large sums of money to “prove” her love.

While Megan doesn’t name the man in question, she said she “confused control for passion and cruelty for love” before saying: “I dropped charges I shouldn’t have”.

She continued: “But love doesn’t hurt. Love respects. Love never makes you feel small, unsafe, or silenced.”

She claimed things ended when she “feared for my life” while her partner was working. “That moment shook me to the core,” she claimed before saying “I was the enemy in his eyes”.

“I’ve made excuses in the past,” she went on. “Blaming my own high standards or strong will, but this time, I won’t. There’s no excuse for violence. None.”

Megan said she wasn’t looking for sympathy by sharing the comments, but wanted everyone to know they “deserve to feel safe in your relationship”.

She shared harrowing stats regarding domestic abuse, saying over 1.7million women have experienced it in the UK in 2025. Megan said she is now making it her priority to raise awareness and “fight for change” however she can.

The identity of her ex-partner is not know and could not be contacted for comment.

Megan has previously opened up on other incidents. Last year, she revealed she has experienced ‘stealthing’ up to six times, before realising it’s a form of sexual assault. The rarely reported crime can carry a prison sentence.

She recalled how on up to six occasions, while sleeping with a man, they have claimed the condom has split, which lead her to having an abortion. Classified as rape, the slang term ‘stealthing’, is used to describe the non consensual removal of a condom during sex, without informing the other person. But tragically, Megan “didn’t know it was a crime” until speaking to Married At First Sight expert Paul C Brunson on the We Need to Talk podcast.

For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk

Russell Brand, a former comedian and actor, appeared in front of Westminster Magistrates’ Court today and was given conditional bail. He appeared to be holding his arms and legs straight.

Russell Brand kept his arms crossed as he sat in court during his 12-minute hearing. The former comedian and actor appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today to face charges of rape and sexual assault and was granted conditional bail.

According to a court sketch, Brand was giving the full charge to the clerk. In alleged assaults that date back 26 years, he was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault, and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault relating to four different women. Brand was standing with his arms folded as he watched in the image. He wore a pair of black pants and a black shirt with a midriff buttoned only to his midriff.

The comedian was dressed casually in court while sporting a brown belt, a distressed black denim shirt, and a pair of distressed black jeans.

While seated in a row of chairs, Brand crossed his legs straight and kept his gaze straight. Brand also stepped up in front of Chief Magistrate Goldspring during the hearing.

Brand’s case was transferred to the Old Bailey, where he is scheduled to show up on May 30 but the clerk did not ask him to enter any pleas. Brand slowly walked away from the court and glared straight ahead.

In September of this year, several women accused him of being a spy. Detectives launched an investigation. In April, Brand, a resident of the US, was given the Crown Prosecution Services’ permission to charge him.

The Met police’s Det Supt Andy Furphy stated at the time that “trained officers continue to support the women who make reports.” Anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone with any information, is still asked to come forward, and the Met’s investigation is still ongoing.

A team of investigators can be reached at CIT@met.police via email. uk. Contacting the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line also offers support. We have authorized the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences, according to Jaswant Narwal of the CPS.

He vehemently denies any wrongdoing and insists that all of his relationships have been consensual following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches following the 2023 allegations.

If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999

Russell Brand, a former comedian and actor, appeared in front of Westminster Magistrates’ Court today and was given conditional bail. He appeared to be holding his arms and legs straight.

Russell Brand kept his arms crossed as he sat in court during his 12-minute hearing. The former comedian and actor appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today to face charges of rape and sexual assault and was granted conditional bail.

According to a court sketch, Brand was giving the full charge to the clerk. In alleged assaults that date back 26 years, he was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault, and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault relating to four different women. Brand was standing with his arms folded as he watched in the image. He wore a pair of black pants and a black shirt with a midriff buttoned only to his midriff.

The comedian was dressed casually in court while sporting a brown belt, a distressed black denim shirt, and a pair of distressed black jeans.

While seated in a row of chairs, Brand crossed his legs straight and kept his gaze straight. Brand also stepped up in front of Chief Magistrate Goldspring during the hearing.

Brand’s case was transferred to the Old Bailey, where he is scheduled to show up on May 30 but the clerk did not ask him to enter any pleas. Brand slowly walked away from the court and glared straight ahead.

In September of this year, several women accused him of being a spy. Detectives launched an investigation. In April, Brand, a resident of the US, was given the Crown Prosecution Services’ permission to charge him.

The Met police’s Det Supt Andy Furphy stated at the time that “trained officers continue to support the women who make reports.” Anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone with any information, is still asked to come forward, and the Met’s investigation is still ongoing.

A team of investigators can be reached at CIT@met.police via email. uk. Contacting the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line also offers support. We have authorized the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences, according to Jaswant Narwal of the CPS.

He vehemently denies any wrongdoing and insists that all of his relationships have been consensual following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches following the 2023 allegations.

If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999