Latest news with #revengeporn
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Revenge porn: Victim support in NI 'not good enough'
Support for victims of so-called revenge porn in Northern Ireland "isn't good enough", a Stormont assembly member has said. The Social Democratic and Labour Part's Cara Hunter said the absence of help to target and remove intimate content shared without consent showed a "lack of urgency".Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland with no publicly funded service to get intimate images taken down or Department of Justice (DoJ) said: "As intimate image abuse becomes a growing issue, the minister is keen to enhance services." Intimate image abuse, commonly referred to as revenge porn, is the sharing of sexual images of someone without their consent, both online and who herself was the victim of a 'deep fake' in which a pornographic video was digitally altered to appear like her, has urged the DoJ to fund a service that proactively finds and removes non-consensual images for services are government funded to operate in England, Scotland and Wales, and in the Republic of Ireland. 'I don't know if those images still exist' A victim whose intimate images were shared without consent told BBC News NI: "All I wanted was to know they'd been deleted."Olivia (not her real name) reported the incident to police after learning that photos she had sent to a man years earlier had been shown to others in her the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) decided not to prosecute, Olivia said she felt "completely dismissed" and there was no way to ensure those images had been deleted. "Although justice would have been great, it wouldn't help me because I don't know if those images still exist," she said. She claimed one officer told her if she had not shared the images, then she would not be in that position. "There was no empathy towards me, and it was as if the two men were the victims," she PPS said it had concluded "that the available evidence in this case was insufficient", and the Police Ombudsman said it was "unable to either prove or refute" Olivia's allegation that officers "had treated her insensitively". "This is such a cruel crime," said Hunter. "It's a way of making people feel exposed, humiliated, ashamed, embarrassed."It's horrifying. I've sat in my constituency office with victims who are absolutely devastated."The Revenge Porn Helpline is funded by the Home Office in England and Wales, and by the Scottish government in manager, Sophie Mortimer said: "Women often come to us and say 'I'm so sorry I'm having to come to you for help, I've been so stupid', and I say, 'no. You haven't done anything wrong, this is someone who has abused your trust'." How is revenge porn removed? The helpline's researchers use "reverse image searches and facial recognition" to identify content on behalf of victims, Ms Mortimer then approach platforms to ask them to remove the images. helps victims in the Republic of Ireland, however no equivalent service receives funding in Northern Ireland. Without support victims must manually search the internet using reverse image tools and scanning social media, forums, and websites themselves. That involves filing separate reports for each image, on each platform often without assurance of swift removal or meaningful the helpline said it wouldn't turn victims in Northern Ireland away, it stressed that resources would have to be prioritised towards cases in England, Scotland and Wales where it is actually funded to a statement, the DoJ said: "Residents of Northern Ireland can avail of the support services of the Revenge Porn Helpline or visit their website."The department is fully engaged with the Revenge Porn Helpline to explore options available to formally extend and promote its service to Northern Ireland."Hunter said the lack of funding for a content removal services was "part of the problem"."A lot of revenge porn is undeniably linked with misogyny and I think it's really important that we speak more about tech-facilitated abuse". Intimate image abuse was criminalised in England and Wales in 2015, by the Northern Ireland assembly in 2016, and by the Scottish government in 2017. Figures obtained by the BBC under Freedom of Information laws reveal that there were 14 convictions in Northern Ireland in 2024, and 12 in 2023. The latest PSNI figures show there were 91 cases investigated in 2024, and 86 in 2023, but charities argue the issue is much more of help and support with any form of sexual abuse are available in the UK at BBC Action Line.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- The Sun
Model posted ‘revenge porn' photos of woman having sex on Instagram and branded her a ‘tramp' – but is spared jail
A MODEL posted "revenge porn" photos of a woman having sex and branded her a "tramp" - but has been spared jail. Louise Billman uploaded "multiple" grabs of the victim to Instagram that showed her "various sexual positions". The 40-year-old captioned the illicit images with a series of slurs - including "tramp" and "s**g". Despite leaving the victim feeling like she had been "stripped of her dignity", Billman managed to swerve a jail sentence. She was instead handed a 20 week sentence, suspended for 12 months, after she was found guilty of disclosing private sexual images without consent. Cambridge Magistrates' Court heard the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was left anxious over the images. Prosecutor James Quelch also said the ordeal in June 2023 had "affected the victim's day-to-day activities" and made her "scared" of the potential consequences. In her own harrowing statement, the woman said: "I felt like I had been stripped of my dignity… my anxiety has increased, I am constantly thinking that people who know me have seen the images. "I am worried there will be repercussions for my family and child. In her posts there were also images of my child. "I am constantly worried about the images surfacing." Rachel Buck, mitigating, said her client was of "good character" and had been "ostracised" by her family for supporting her partner, Joey Baptiste, during his own court ordeal. Baptiste, 41, was spared jail in 2021 after admitting a charge of coercive control against an ex. He also caused the woman physical harm by dragging her out of a bed and throwing her against a wall. On another occasion, he smashed her head against a car dashboard, the court heard. Billman had begged the judge to let Baptiste walk free as she was heavily pregnant with his twins at the time. The thug later found himself back in court after crashing Dragon Den star Ross Mendham's £100k Ferrari. He accompanied Billman to her sentencing hearing but the pair did not comment as they left the building. 6 6 6 6
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Pregnant Love Island star Georgia Harrison reveals exact due date as she counts down to birth of first baby
LOVE Island star turned campaigner Georgia Harrison has revealed the exact due date of her first child. The pregnant ITV2 show alum looked radiant in a yellow summer dress showing off her baby bump as she arrived at ITV daytime show Good Morning Britain. 6 6 Former TOWIE star Georgia, 30, was on the early-morning series to talk about her recent MBE news, with her set to pick up the accolade later this year. She has been bestowed the honour for her campaigning efforts around intimate image abuse and revenge porn, after herself being a victim of the crimes. Her ex, MTV reality star Stephen Bear, 35, previously shared a video of himself having sex with Georgia in a garden after she begged him not to. In the court case, Ex On The Beach alum Bear was ordered to pay Georgia £27,000 or risk prison. The disgraced reality star was previously jailed for 21 months over the sex tape. She bravely waived her right to anonymity to tell how the scandal had ruined her life - before playing a pivotal role in campaigning to change the law over intimate images and consent. Georgia's hard work has since seen her become the first Love Island star ever to receive such an award. GMB show anchor Susanna Reid, 54, opened the chat and told the star - who revealed her revealed in April she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Jack Stacey - "Congratulations to you. "Not just on the MBE but also the fact you are expecting a baby as well." Georgia then replied: "Yes," before Susanna added: "So you may turn up to the palace to receive your award with a babe in arms, depending on when it's given out?" Pregnant Georgia Harrison reveals her glam new look ahead of Ibiza trip Georgia said: "I may be able to tell my child one day that you did get to meet someone from the Royal Family and you were there - yeah that would be amazing." Susanna's co-host Richard Madeley, 69, then asked her directly: "When's it due?" Georgia continued: "It's due the fifth of November so I think there's quite a high chance that I will still be pregnant when I go in for the MBE." She then told how she would consider a career in politics later in her life following her campaigning success. The star admitted that while she still felt an "air of discomfort" from her own experiences, she now knows "what a difference my case has made." Yet the All Stars contestant admitted some sick trolls were still asking where they could find the sex tape video, as she noted more needed to be done. BABY JOY Georgia's baby news came just 10 months into her relationship with Jack. She shot to fame on Love Island in 2017 and returned for the first All Stars series last year. Despite leaving the All Stars villa with Anton Danyluk, their romance quickly fizzled out and just months later she and Jack met on a dating app. Opening up about meeting Jack and falling pregnant, Georgia told OK! Magazine: "If you don't go to the interview, you're not going to get the job, are you?' 'I was thinking, 'I'm nearly 30, I really want to make an effort to meet someone'. But I was quite pessimistic about love in general. 'It took me a while to really believe that someone could treat me so well, but Jack did. "Now here we are, living together and about to have a baby! 'I do believe the things I've experienced in my past were meant to lead me to where I am now.' Georgia was also asked on social media about her baby shower plans, and replied to a fan: 'I wanted to do a goth theme or Tiger King theme but my friends and family have said no. 'There's still time though.' 6 6 6
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Jewellery model who posted 'revenge porn' photos online dodges prison as victim says she was left 'stripped of her dignity'
A jewellery model posted photos online of a woman having sex with a man alongside insulting comments including 'slag', a court heard today. Louise Billman uploaded 'multiple' screen shots from videos of the woman she managed to obtain, showing her in 'various sexual positions'. The court heard the victim, who can't be named for legal reasons, had been 'stripped of her dignity' by the revenge porn and feared who else had seen the images. Billman, 40, appeared at Cambridge Magistrates Court to be sentenced after being found guilty of disclosing private sexual images without consent at the same court following a trial in May. She escaped jail after the Bench heard she had a previously unblemished record and even reassured her before sentencing her. Chairman of the Bench Stephanie Bishop said: 'Do not panic when I tell you this but we are sending you to prison for a total period of 20 weeks. 'However, sentence will be suspended for 12 months.' Billman, of Norwich, showed no emotion and stared straight ahead as she learned her fate. She used Instagram to post images of the woman having sex with the man, who is also entitled to anonymity. Comments accompanying the images included 'slag', 'tramp' and 'stalkaway'. Prosecutor James Quelch said the incident had 'affected the victim's day-to-day activities' and made her 'scared' of the potential consequences. The woman said in a victim impact statement that was read out in court: 'I felt like I had been stripped of my dignity… my anxiety has increased, I am constantly thinking that people who know me have seen the images. 'I am worried there will be repercussions for my family and child. In her posts there were also images of my child. I am constantly worried about the images surfacing.' Natalie Buck, defending, said her client was of 'good character' and had been ostracised by her family for supporting her partner, Joey Baptiste, who accompanied her to court today. Baptiste, 41, escaped jail in 2021 after admitting a charge of coercive control against a former partner when Billman begged with the judge to spare him. Heavily pregnant with his twins at the time, she told Norwich Crown Court he had turned his life around and was attending AA meetings. 'I am completely dependent on Joe emotionally and financially,' she added. 'We've taken out a £12,000 loan to fund IVF and we have a mortgage to pay.' Baptiste, 41, had caused 'severe psychological harm' and physical injuries to his victim in a series of incidents, including dragging her from her bed one night and throwing her against a wall. On another occasion, he smashed her head against a car dashboard, the court heard. But Judge Alice Robinson said he had 'shown evidence he could be rehabilitated' after hearing from Billman and gave him a two-year suspended jail term. Baptiste also appeared in Norwich Magistrates Court in February when he received nine penalty points on his driving licence for crashing a £100,000 red Ferrari F430 in Norwich into a row of bicycle racks and narrowly avoiding a jogger. The incident, which was captured on CCTV, happened after he was allowed behind the wheel of the car by former Dragon's Den contestant Ross Mendham, who won an investment for a low-calorie food range in 2013. Witnesses heard Baptiste – who threatened a photographer outside court today - revving the engine at a set of traffic lights, with one saying they had 'never seen driving quite so bad and quite so fast down that bit of road'. He admitted careless driving and could have been banned under totting up rules as he already had four penalty points. But the court accepted losing his licence would cause unnecessary hardship to the construction machinery driver. Miss Buck told the court today: 'It is quite rare for somebody of such good character to be before the court… 'She supported Baptiste through his trial… some members of her family ostracised her for supporting her partner, apart from her mother. 'By June 2023, she had been cut off by lots of people and had no voice and no narrative. She found herself in a position where she was helpless.' Billman, who models jewellery for a high street store in Norwich, was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to her victim for the 'ongoing fear and trauma' she was suffering. There was also a £154 surcharge and a £650 contribution to court costs – reduced to £400 due to her 'financial situation'. Billman didn't comment as she left court.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Reality TV star Georgia Harrison ‘blown away' at MBE for campaigning efforts
Reality TV star Georgia Harrison has said she is 'completely blown away' at being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to tackling online privacy and cyber crime awareness. Over the past couple of years the 30-year-old, who has starred in reality TV shows including The Only Way Is Essex and Love Island, has turned her hand to campaigning on violence against women and girls after becoming a victim of revenge porn. She told the PA news agency: 'Honestly, I'm completely blown away to be receiving an MBE – it's one of my proudest achievements and something I didn't expect to be coming through the letter box this summer. 'It means the world to have this kind of recognition, not just for me, but for all the survivors who've been through what I have. 'Speaking out after what happened wasn't easy, but I knew it was important. 'I didn't want anyone else to feel as alone or powerless as I did. I've tried to turn something painful into something positive, and this honour is a reminder that we can make change when we use our voices. 'Thank you to everyone who's supported me along the way, to all of the MPs that invited me in to speak with open arms and to all the charities that supported me and my fellow survivors. 'I'll never stop fighting for what's right and I'll always step up when and where I think I can make a positive difference for others.' In 2021, the TV star waived her right to anonymity amid a trial that saw her ex-partner, Stephen Bear, accused of sharing a secretly recorded sex tape of her to adult content website OnlyFans. Bear, also a reality TV star, served 10 and a half months of a 21-month sentence after being found guilty of voyeurism and of two counts of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress. In April 2023, the month after he was sentenced, Harrison attended a demonstration, held outside Parliament by domestic violence charity Refuge, calling for specific protections for women and girls to be included in the Online Safety Bill. She also called for social media platforms to be 'held accountable' for online harassment and abuse, and criticised the justice system for failing to 'keep up'. Later that year, she discussed the Bill in a Downing Street meeting with former technology secretary Michelle Donelan as it returned to the Commons for its final stages. In recognition of her work advocating for online safety and the prevention of violence against women and girls she won the activist gong at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards 2023. Reflecting on her campaigning, she told The Sun in October 2023 that she had had 'serious conversations with a couple of Labour MPs' about a bid to represent an Essex constituency. In 2024, she helped Thames Valley Police launch a campaign about sexual consent titled Consent Conservations. Harrison explored the prevalence of deepfakes and image-based sexual abuse in an ITV documentary titled Georgia Harrison: Porn, Power, Profit, which was released earlier in the year. As well as Love Island, she has taken part in reality TV shows including Celebrity Ex On The Beach and Channel 4 reality show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, which she won with boxer Lani Daniels. In April, she announced she was expecting her first child with her partner Jack Stacey.
