Georgia Harrison, best known for her appearances on Love Island and The Challenge, recently opened up about a traumatic experience that left her in septic shock. The reality star revealed that her ex-partner had shared a graphic sex video of her without her consent, leading to widespread abuse and harassment online. In this article, we delve into Georgia’s story and explore the devastating impact that non-consensual pornography can have on a person’s life.
Reality TV star Georgia Harrison recently revealed the traumatic experience of going into septic shock due to cysts she developed after her ex-boyfriend, Stephen Bear, uploaded a private sex video of them without her consent. Bear, who won Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, was jailed for 21 months for sharing the explicit video on his OnlyFans page. Harrison said the incident damaged her career, which she was thriving in prior to seeing the footage circulating online. She also mentioned that she would be suing over lost earnings.
The 28-year-old model added that she had developed cysts in her ovary when she was in Dubai, which she attributed to being “stressed out”. Harrison wanted to continuously leave it without seeking help, but her mother noticed something wasn’t right and urged her to go to the hospital. Thankfully, she managed to seek help just in time as she was going into septic shock. Doctors informed her that her kidneys, pelvis, and multiple organs were infected, and had she stayed at home for one more evening, she would have died.
The NHS states that ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs, are common in women and do not usually cause any symptoms. However, in some cases, they can cause complications like what Harrison experienced. The TV personality also revealed that she would release a documentary on ITV called Revenge Porn: Georgia Vs Bear to share her personal story.
Harrison and Bear were videotaped having sex in his garden in Loughton, Essex, on August 2, 2020, which was captured on CCTV cameras. Bear denied charges but was found guilty of voyeurism and of two counts of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress and sentenced earlier this month. Harrison received praise for speaking out about her experience in Parliament last week, with MPs giving her shouts of “hear, hear” in the chamber. Conservative former minister Vicky Ford applauded Harrison during the International Women’s Day debate, stating, “so much praise must go to the brave Georgia Harrison who was determined to see him stand trial for what he has done.”
The traumatizing experience that Harrison went through is a sober reminder of the pervasiveness of revenge porn and how culturally debilitating it can be. Revenge porn, also known as “non-consensual pornography”, is when someone shares intimate photos or videos of another person without their consent, and it often results in severe psychological and emotional harm. The victims are usually targeted by perpetrators seeking revenge, causing embarrassment, or financial gain. It can lead to depression, anxiety, suicide attempts, and social isolation, among others.
Georgia Harrison’s case sheds light on the importance of legislative and systemic measures that can prevent revenge porn from happening. In February 2015, the UK government passed the Criminal Justice and Courts Act, which criminalized the sharing of private, sexual images or videos without the subject’s consent. The maximum penalty for the offense is two years in prison. However, police forces have come under criticism for failing to investigate such cases, and criticism that the maximum penalty is not significant enough to act as a deterrent has been made. Moreover, a study published by the BBC in January 2017 found that 41 police forces recorded more than 1,000 reports of revenge porn in 2015, yet just 11 resulted in suspects being charged.
The UK government and other governing bodies must continue taking meaningful steps to tackle the issue. This means investing resources into tackling the issue, raising awareness through education, implementing better policies to support victims, and punishing perpetrators severely. Laws might not deter everyone from indulging in revenge porn, but strict and enforceable laws can reduce its occurrence and protect more individuals from the harms of revenge porn.
Conclusion
Revenge Porn can happen to anyone in society, and Georgia Harrison’s story amplifies this situation. The importance of clear and enforceable laws to tackle the crime cannot be overstated. As society moves forward, it is essential not to normalize the sharing of intimate photos without consent and ensure education suffices to prevent perpetrators from indulging in vengeful acts. Tackling Revenge Porn is a continuous battle, and all stakeholders must collaborate to prevent this crime from spreading.
In the end, it is important to remember that consent is key in any sexual encounter or sharing of intimate content. Georgia Harrison’s experience is a clear example that lack of consent can lead to severe consequences. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves and others on the importance of respecting boundaries and upholding individual rights. Yet, we also must remember to support those who have experienced similar traumas and offer them the necessary resources to heal. Through this understanding and compassion, we can work towards a better society that prioritizes consent and empathy.
