Georgia Harrison has spoken out since ex-boyfriend Stephen Bear’s conviction as she details her two years of “absolute hell”.
Bear, 32, was found guilty of two counts of disclosing private sexual photographs or films and voyeurism.
He was convicted by a jury of nine men and three women at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday (December 13).
READ MORE: Stephen Bear found guilty of OnlyFans revenge porn in TV star sex tape trial
The reality star was accused of secretly filming himself having sex with Georgia without her consent and posting it on adult sites such as OnlyFans and PornHub.
In her lengthy statement, the Love Island star spoke bravely about what she has experienced at the hands of the Celebrity Big Brother winner.
She said: “The only way to describe how I am feeling now is relieved.
(Image: GC Images)
“The last two years have been absolute hell and this verdict will allow me to start to put the pain I have suffered in the past and start embracing the future.
“Bear’s behaviour was completely unacceptable and those who choose to commit such crimes should and will be prosecuted.
“We are living in a time where so much of our lives and our children’s lives are spent online and it is so important that individuals are protected in the virtual world just as they are in reality.
“Social media has given us the egalitarian belief that we are all publishers but what it hasn’t done is regulate what we should responsibly publish.”
(Image: PA)
The star added: “I hope me taking a stand gives other men and women who have fallen victim to revenge porn the courage to seek justice and most importantly show them that they have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
“I have felt ashamed, hurt, violated, even broken at times but today I stand here feeling empowered, grateful and a huge sense of unity with all of those who have reached out to support me throughout this ordeal.
“I want to take the time to thank the Essex police force (especially Brian Sitch) and also Michelle Roycroft who have been such a huge support to me throughout and have worked tirelessly for two years to get to this point.
(Image: GC Images)
The reality star went on to say: “I also want to thank my KC Ms Carey, the jury, the judge Christopher Morgan and all of the victim support team at Chelmsford for ensuring justice was served and helping make my experience as comfortable as possible.
“And of course my friends and family for being by my side. especially my mum who I couldn’t have done this without.”
Bear was first investigated by Essex Police in December 2020 after the explicit and intimate video was shared on a number of social media platforms.
(Image: PA)
Georgia, who met Bear in 2018 on TV show The Challenge, waived her right to anonymity in order to help other victims who experienced the same thing.
Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Nolan said: “This man thought he could treat women and girls like they were on a reality show. He thought he could commit appalling crimes in Essex and get away with it. He was wrong.
“You can’t try to shame and manipulate people to satisfy yourself. You can’t pretend that taking intimate videos and sharing them without consent is OK. It’s not. And if you try to get away with it in Essex, you won’t, regardless of who you are.
(Image: PA)
“Thank you Georgia Harrison, not only for your bravery but for your trust in our detectives.
“I’d like to commend the investigating officer in this case, DC Brian Sitch who has demonstrated his determination to stand alongside Georgia Harrison to hold this man to account.
“Let me be clear, misogyny and violence and intimidation against women and girls, in all its forms, is wrong – and it is for us all to stand up and stand together to stamp it out in our society.”
Speaking outside the court, Georgia said: “I felt ashamed at times, hurt violated and even broken but today I stand here feeling empowered grateful a huge sense of unity with everyone who supported me to get to that point and just relieved”
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“I hope me taking a stand gives me and women who have fallen victim to revenge porn the courage to seek justice and most importantly show them that they have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
“We’re living in a time where so much of our lives and our children’s lives are spent online and it’s important that individuals are protected in the virtual world as well as they are in reality.
“Social media has given us a belief that we are all publishers but what it hasn’t done is regulate what we should responsibly publish.”
Bear has been released on Bail and will be sentenced at the same court on January 31, 2023.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
