The Bachelor deserves praise for how it handled the sensitive topic of sexual assault

The Cut

It seemed like The Bachelor was turning over a new leaf with Caelynn Miller-Keyes' conversation with Colton Underwood on Monday's episode about her experience as a sexual assault victim. "The Bachelor franchise is a rather surprising setting for such a conversation," says Ella Cerón. "The show isn’t really known for facilitating productive conversations about sex, and it has notoriously mishandled assault and harassment in the past: Two years ago, the producers of spinoff series Bachelor in Paradise framed an alleged on-set sexual assault as a dramatic plot point, one that played out over two episodes and featured a cliffhanger ending, and producers later cast a contestant who had been convicted of indecent assault and battery on a subsequent season of The Bachelorette. The conversation resonated with viewers, who praised Miller-Keyes’ courage in speaking out, as well as the show for handling her account with sensitivity."

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• Why this was a major shift for The Bachelor: "Caelynn’s account of her sexual assault feels like something new for the franchise," says Kathryn VanArendonk. "It was edited without schmaltzy sad violins. It was presented plainly and calmly, and without apology. Colton listened carefully and shared his own experience, and made sure Caelynn knew he does not think less of her. He wants her to be safe. They are both still participating in a reality show that mines human tragedy for the purposes of TV ratings and will necessarily result in painful exposure and heartbreak for a significant number of people involved. But The Bachelor is a juggernaut and we’re not getting rid of it any time soon, so we should celebrate its newfound sensitivity where we can."
• Both Colton and Caelynn responded to the emotional scene on Instagram after it aired
• Construction to repair The Bachelor mansion will begin three months after part of it was destroyed by wildfires
• Jimmy Kimmel thinks Colton is lying about being a virgin