Georgia Harrison reflected on her “tough” journey to bring ex-boyfriend Stephen Bear to justice as she delivered a powerful speech on revenge porn.
Bear, 33, was sentenced to 21 months in jail in March after he secretly filmed a sexual encounter with the 28-year-old on CCTV in his garden and then uploaded it online.
On Tuesday night, the former Love Island star accepted the Activist award at Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards, held at London’s 1 Marylebone Road.
Taking to the podium, Harrison called for an end to women “feeling abused, violated and ashamed” as victims of revenge porn and shared how she used her harrowing experience to advocate for tougher measures against those who share explicit content without consent.
She told the audience: “It feels so magical to be standing here today accepting this award after what has been such a tough journey for me over the past few years.
“For those of you that aren't aware of my story, I was a victim of image-based sexual abuse and voyeurism which resulted in over 10 million people viewing sexually explicit content of me without my permission.
“After seeking help from the authorities and waving my anonymity I went on to successfully convict my perpetrator and eventually use my experience to make an amendment to the image-based sexual abuse law, meaning future victims will find it far easier to also have a successful court case.
She continued: “I cannot describe the amount of support and solidarity I have found through other women along my journey and hearing their personal stories really highlighted to me just how much needs to be done to help protect women and girls across the UK.
“I do not want to see another generation of women feeling abused, violated and ashamed. I want them to feel empowered and loved.
“I want them to fearlessly speak their truth and I want them to live in a world where no means no, and consent is taken seriously by all other human beings,” she added.
“It is such an honour to receive this award from Glamour and be a part of their consent campaign which I know is so very needed right now and is going to help shape society for those following in our footsteps.
“So, to all of the amazing women out there I just want you to know you are so uniquely beautiful just as you are, let your soul be authentically itself in every situation and do not let anyone else's opinion even for a second make you want to change who you are.”
GLAMOUR WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2023 WINNERS
Theatre Actor: Lily Allen
Gen Z Gamechanger: Halle Bailey
Activist: Georgia Harrison
Entertainer: Hannah Waddingham
Musician: Leigh-Anne Pinnock
Samsung Rising Star: Olivia Dean
Gamechanging Performer: Ariana DeBose
Creator (in association with Tinder): Fats Timbo
The Impact Award: America Ferrera
Sports Icons: The Lionesses
She concluded: “Real women aren't perfect and perfect women simply are not real. Thank you so much to Glamour, to my mum and to all of the strong, sexy, magnificent women who have helped make me the person I am today.”
The annual Glamour Women of the Year Awards celebrates some of the biggest names in biggest names in music, television, film, sport and media.
This year’s event was hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan, her third time fronting the star-studded event.
