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Georgia Harrison tells MPs of 'revenge-porn' ordeal

Image: ParliamentTV

Reality television personality Georgia Harrison has likened the experience of having a revenge porn video leaked to a "house fire".

Celebrity Big Brother star Stephen Bear, who was released from prison in January after serving half of his 21-month sentence, had shared a video of him and Harrison on his OnlyFans account, leading to widespread circulation of the footage on various pornographic websites and messaging platforms like WhatsApp.

Speaking before the Women and Equalities Committee, Harrison described the video's virality as horrifying, particularly because the platforms hosting the content provided little recourse for victims like herself.

She expressed frustration at the lack of immediate action from social media companies when such incidents occur, likening the urgency of the situation to extinguishing a fire before it engulfs everything.

Harrison emphasized the need for expedited response mechanisms to prevent irreparable damage to victims' lives and reputations.

Bear was convicted of voyeurism and disclosing private sexual material with intent to cause distress.

He has been ordered to repay the £22,305 he earned from sharing the video.

Harrison highlighted the challenges of navigating the legal process while grappling with the invasion of privacy and the subsequent public scrutiny.

Despite the immense difficulties she faced, she remained resolute in seeking justice and refusing to succumb to the pressures of giving up.

Waiving her anonymity, Harrison underscored the violation she felt at having her personal trauma exploited for profit by social media platforms.

She criticized the lack of adequate safeguards to protect individuals from such violations and expressed concern about the long-term repercussions, including the impact on her future relationships and family life.

Her testimony shed light on the broader issue of revenge porn and the urgent need for legislative measures to address gaps in online safety and accountability.

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