S18 BONUS EPISODE: Georgia Harrison on taking back her power
Oct 26, 2023
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Reality TV star turned activist Georgia Harrison joins Elizabeth Day to discuss her fight for justice after her ex-boyfriend shared intimate footage of her online without her consent. They also delve into her journey with ADHD, the impact of reality TV, handling online trolls, rewiring trauma patterns, and the importance of taking back her power.
Georgia Harrison fought for justice and changed the law after experiencing image-based sexual abuse.
Georgia Harrison opens up about personal losses and embraces a spiritual belief to find strength and honor loved ones.
Georgia Harrison shares her journey of understanding and coping with ADHD, emphasizing self-acceptance and harnessing unique strengths.
Deep dives
Georgia Harrison's Fight for Justice and Empowerment
Georgia Harrison's podcast episode covers her journey of fighting for justice after experiencing image-based sexual abuse. She discusses how she pressed charges against her ex-partner who violated her privacy and shared intimate footage without consent. The case took two years to go to court, during which Georgia faced challenges and doubt. However, she remained determined and strong with the support of her family and friends. Eventually, her ex-partner was convicted, and Georgia not only received justice but also played a pivotal role in changing the law to support other victims. Through her book, 'Taking Back My Power,' she shares her story of resilience, hope, and the fight for justice.
The Impact of Loss and Grieving
In addition to the legal battle, Georgia Harrison also opens up about the personal losses she endured. She reflects on the passing of her best friend from leukemia, as well as the tragic car accident that claimed the life of her on-off boyfriend. Despite the immense grief and heartbreak, Georgia embraces a spiritual belief that their souls continue to be with her, providing her strength and guidance. She highlights the importance of resilience, having a support system, and living life to the fullest in honor of those we have lost.
Understanding and Coping with ADHD
Georgia Harrison shares her personal journey of understanding and coping with ADHD. She recalls struggling with focus and concentration from a young age, which often led to being labeled as a 'bad kid.' It wasn't until adulthood that she sought a diagnosis and medication for ADHD, but later transitioned to holistic approaches to manage her condition. Georgia discusses the positive aspects of ADHD, such as the ability to hyper-focus and excel in certain areas. She emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and understanding the unique strengths and challenges that come with ADHD.
The Impact of Reality TV and Bonding without Distractions
The podcast episode explores the impact of reality TV and the experience of being on Love Island. The speaker shares their love for TV shows like Love Island because they provide a distraction-free environment. They emphasize the importance of bonding with others without the interference of technology. The speaker believes that reality TV offers an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth. They mention that going on reality TV allows individuals to define and adjust their own character. They also highlight the importance of not taking reality TV too seriously.
Dealing with Trolls and the Pressure of Being in the Public Eye
The podcast delves into the speaker's experience with online trolls and the challenges of being a woman in the public eye. The speaker explains their thick skin when it comes to dealing with trolls, attributing it to their upbringing and resilience. They express sympathy towards trolls, viewing them as individuals who have been hurt and are expressing themselves in negative ways. The speaker discusses the negative comments and scrutiny they face, particularly in relation to their experience with image-based sexual abuse. They emphasize the importance of consent and explain the impact that negative comments can have on their self-perception and sense of censoring themselves. Despite the challenges, the speaker remains focused on their activism and using their platform to make a positive difference.
Georgia Harrison is a reality TV star turned activist - a woman who has used her own pain to change the law for other survivors of sexual assault. In 2020, her former boyfriend, Stephen Bear, shared intimate video footage of her online - filmed on his own CCTV cameras - without her consent. He posted it onto his OnlyFans page, charging viewers for access. From there it went viral. Georgia fought for two years to bring the case to court. In March, Bear was jailed for 21 months, required to sign the sex offenders register and ordered to pay Harrison over £200,000 - the highest ever sum awarded in an image abuse case. Harrison went on to campaign successfully for a change in the law to help other victims. In this very special bonus episode, Georgia joins me to talk about all of this, as well as her journey with ADHD (which was left undiagnosed for years) and her grief over what Bear stole from her - not just her privacy, but her agency to make her own decisions. Plus...wait for it...her failure to be a puppeteer (no, really).
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Georgia Harrison's book, Taking Back My Power, is out today and available to order here.
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If you've been affected by any of the issues discussed, you can get in touch with the Revenge Porn Helpline here.