“Too many women can relate” — Love Island’s Megan Barton-Hanson opens up about allegedly “surviving coercive control and emotional abuse”
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Love Island star Megan Barton-Hanson opened up about surviving two alleged abusive relationships. On Friday, May 2, 2025, the TV personality took to her Instagram to spread awareness about the cause and share her alleged experiences.
Megan explained she initially didn't want to speak as she didn't want to risk the "judgment" and backlash." However, noting that "silence" helped no one, she continued:
"Here I am, sharing yet another chapter of surviving coersive control and emotional abuse - becuase too many women can relate."
Trigger Warning: The following article contains references to r*pe and abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
In its caption, the 31-year-old highlighted the need for "awareness," sharing statistics of women experiencing domestic violence in the U.K. (1.7 million women in 2025). She also pointed out that "shelters" were "overwhelmed." Megan Barton-Hanson wrote:
"To any domestic violence charities — I want to help. Please reach out to my management. I’m making this my priority."
Barton-Hanson noted she was ready to offer help in any way, including reposting campaigns, attending events, and speaking directly to survivors.
Megan Barton-Hanson first revealed her abusive relationship in an interview on the We Need to Talk podcast in December
In Friday's post, Megan Barton-Hanson detailed her reported experience with a partner. Per the personality, despite being financially independent and having a successful career, she was "manipulated" and made to feel "worthless." She claimed that they pressured her into sending "thousands of pounds" to prove her "love," adding that the man allegedly spent it on "escorts and luxury hotels". She wrote:
"I was shamed for my work and silenced for my success. And like many others, I confused control for passion, and cruelty for love."
Megan Barton-Hanson even claimed she filed charges with the police but regretfully dropped them. She did not elaborate on who the partner was or when they were together.
The TV personality continued to claim that the relationship ended when she "feared for (her) life." She discussed that the alleged threat occurred over an incident where she was set to go paddleboarding with two "lovely older women" while he was at work. Megan added:
"That moment shook me to my core. I'd gone all the way to Scotland to prove my loyalty-and still, I was the enemy in his eyes."
Megan claimed she had been making "excuses" for him.
Megan Barton-Hanson asserted she wasn't making the post to gain "sympathy" but to help women who were in an abusive situation. She wrote:
"If someone chips away at your confidence, controls your finances, or isolates you from people who love you- that is abuse."
She also urged women to trust their "loved ones," who bring up "red flags."
The Essex-born personality first opened up about facing domestic abuse during an interview with relationship coach Paul Carrick Brunson on his podcast We Need to Talk. According to Metro.uk, during the episode, she recounted an ordeal with an older ex-lover that ended in a pregnancy after he removed the protection with her consent.
It is worth noting that the practice is called stealthing. It is illegal and counts as a form of r*pe.
Megan Barton-Hanson had to terminate the pregnancy. The former partner called her "disgusting" and a killer. As they drove home after the procedure, he allegedly "wrapped" the seatbelt across her neck and bit her nose. She added that she couldn't breathe and was frozen in shock.
Recounting a separate incident, she revealed that the ex showed up at her parents' house with a crowbar. Per the outlet, when Megan Barton-Hanson eventually ended the relationship, he reportedly held her at knifepoint, asking her to send ten grand a month for not loving him.
Megan Barton-Hanson's We Need to Talk episode is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
TOPICS: Megan Barton-Hanson, We Need to Talk, Paul Carrick Brunson