After the cameras disappeared and the spotlight began to dim, the truth about 'Bachelor in Paradise's' Sam Cochrane and Tara Pavlovic's abusive relationship began to surface.

In a whirlwind romance, the two reality TV stars got engaged during the 'Bachelor in Paradise' finale. Due to strict reality TV guidelines, Sam Cochrane and Tara Pavlovic had to go into hiding until the series aired—
though their toxic relationship could not be hidden.

In an interview with Women's Day, Cochrane explained how Pavlovic's excessive drinking led to physical and emotional abuse.

"It was very common for her to go out partying for long periods of time," he said. "At weekends it was this binging thing and then it would be the put-downs and the verbal attacks. She'd call me a loser in front of friends, telling me I'm not starting my life," Cochrane revealed.

Like many cases of abuse, Cochrane claims that Pavlovic wasn't always like this, that things only got worse when she was drinking.

"The next day the Tara I really liked was back and she didn't remember what she'd said, so we'd recover," Cochrane said. "I begged her to stop drinking and get counselling. You think it's going to get better and I kept telling myself we were under a lot of pressure."

Cochrane also explained that having the weight of responsibility of being a TV couple was a lot for both of them to bear. "I was too ashamed and embarrassed to tell my friends and family because everyone was so excited we were engaged and there was the added pressure that the show hadn't aired," he said.

After the show aired in May is when things really started to decline, according to Cochrane. He explained that "As soon as the show wrapped everything spiralled. The relationship took a back seat, the drinking kicked in and then the violence started."

Cochrane said how there was one occasion in particular where, "I walked in she punched me square in the face, twice," he revealed. "I managed to calm her down and we went to sleep but a pattern developed. She bit my hand, my face, and my back... I didn't actually realize how bad it was until I saw myself in the bathroom mirror."

While this traumatising story is now all over the news, Cochrane says that rehashing his relationship problems was not his original intent, though now he just wants Pavlovic to get treatment.

"I never wanted to tell this story but ultimately I wish she would get some help. She doesn't think she needs it but she's in an environment that condones it. She would say I don't hit my friends, I don't bite my friends, trying to imply that I'm the reason things got so bad, but I'm not," he said.

Check out the full story and revealing photos of abuse on Women's Day here.