On the 3rd March 2023, former television personality Stephen Bear was jailed for 21 months after sharing sexual content of him and ex-partner Georgia Harrison online without her consent. Harrison, an influencer, model, and reality star who has appeared on Love Island and TOWIE, has been widely praised for her bravery throughout the trial. But what does this outcome mean for future similar trials and for the victims of similar crimes?
STEPHEN BEAR’S CRIMES
Back in 2020, Stephen Bear posted footage, captured by CCTV cameras in his garden, of him and then-partner Georgia Harrison having sex on OnlyFans. Harrison revealed this footage was taken without her knowledge “on a hidden camera in an environment where [she] felt safe” adding he “purposely got [her] into a position where he knew it would be on CCTV”. Once aware of the video circulating online, Harrison said she felt “hurt”, “violated” and “embarrassed” stating: “I have no other choice but to go public about this situation, not just for me, but for anyone that has been round there not knowing they are being filmed”.
Bear was arrested in January and charged in May 2021 with offences including voyeurism and disclosing private, sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress- otherwise known as ‘revenge porn’. Despite pleading not guilty, on the 13th December 2022 Bear was found guilty by a unanimous jury. During the trial, prosecutor Jacqueline Carey KC reiterated Harrison was unaware she was being filmed at the time and on discovering the footage existed, had pleaded Bear, to “never” send it to anyone, emphasising “how upset she would be if he did”. Despite this, Harrison claimed she later saw Bear send the footage to someone on WhatsApp and was later aware of it circulating online on sites like OnlyFans meaning Bear was also profiting financially from this footage being shared.
Finally, on the 3rd March this year, Bear was sentenced to 21 months, given a five year restraining order to not contact Harrison and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register. However, while speaking to reporters outside Chelmsford Crown Court on the day of his sentencing, he maintained his trial was unfair and his side of the story had not been heard. Appearing to confirm the CPS’s claim that he had shown a “complete lack of remorse”, he failed to answer if he had an apology for Ms Harrison and then proceeded to sing Lady In Red to a female reporter wearing a red coat. This remorseless display prompted one reporter to write “I still can’t quite believe the behaviour I witnessed outside of court from Bear. I have truly never seen anything like it in my seven years as a reporter.”
GEORGIA HARRISON’S BRAVERY
While Bear arrived to court most days in a rented Rolls Royce, accessorising with garish suits, fur coats, canes and cigars in an outrageous display of arrogance and contempt, Harrison has been widely praised for her strength and bravery. Throughout the trial she waived her right to anonymity, instead deciding to speak out and stand in public solidarity with other victims of similar crimes to encourage them to come forward.
Chelmsford MP, Vicky Ford, while delivering a speech to the House of Commons during the International Women’s Day debate brought up “the abhorrent Stephen Bear” calling him “a violent, abusive, misogynistic man”, adding “so much praise must go to the brave Georgia Harrison”.
Hannah von Dadelszen, deputy chief crown prosecutor said Harrison demonstrated “bravery and determination” and that “although she lives a public life, [she] has the right to privacy”, a privacy “taken away by Bear to make money in the most egregious way”. Essex Police DC Brian Sitch echoed this, commending Harrison’s “immense bravery and patience”, adding “this young woman stood in a court room, in front of strangers and went over the most personal details of her private life … all because Stephen Bear thought he could secretly film his former partner and get away with appalling crimes”, an experience the judge said caused Harrison “extensive humiliation and embarrassment”.
Throughout, Harrison was also supported by Michelle Roycroft who works with victims of sexual abuse, stalking and harassment, and is chief ambassador at personal safety app helpmeAngela. Roycroft was contacted by Harrison for support, telling the BBC: “Georgia wanted to make sure everybody understood this was an offence that wasn’t OK and that she could stand up to him … I wanted to encourage her because she has a platform and she’s an amazing young woman”.
Following Bear’s sentencing, Harrison stood outside court surrounded by women, including Roycroft, in what made a powerful image, telling reporters:
“I’m happy and relieved that this matter is finally over. Today’s sentence is a vindication of what I’ve been put through and sends a clear message that the police and courts take this matter very seriously. I want to let all other victims of this crime know that I stand in solidarity with them, and I have absolutely no regrets on waiving my anonymity. I hope this puts anyone off committing this sort of crime and I hope for anyone who has been a victim of it, it gives them some sort of justice.”
As Harrison walked away, she broke out into what one reporter called ‘the biggest smile I’ve ever seen… it was such a moving moment’.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF REVENGE PORN?
While many argue Bear’s sentence wasn’t harsh enough, the fact he has been jailed, as Harrison points out, sends a “clear message” that revenge porn trials are now being taken seriously.
Speaking to the BBC she acknowledges those before her who perhaps didn’t receive the justice she did in their own trials, expressing; “It’s upsetting to think that some people could go through what I went through and feel like they had no help”. However due to the high-profile nature of this trial, she hopes it has not only set a legal precedent, but also a social one as now people can see “that this sort of crime is finally being taken seriously in society”. She explains that “people who were affected by [this crime] in the past” have contacted her to “say how much it means to them”, saying this may offer some form of “hope and acceptance” after perhaps being “let down within their cases”. She hopes moving forward “future people won’t have to feel the pain that they felt when they felt unheard” and suggests improvements to the Online Safety Bill need to be made to ensure “users are safe” on online platforms. She emphasises the need for “monitored” platforms ensuring “content isn’t posted without people’s permission”, adding that if this isn’t achieved then these should also be “held accountable”.
Therefore, although there is still a long way to go in preventing the distribution of revenge porn online, Georgia Harrison’s victory in this trial hopefully provides some form of validation and justice for past victims of similar crimes, empower current and future victims to speak out, and deter any potential perpetrators.