Each year, the GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards celebrate the most inspiring women across industries – from philanthropy to film – who help make our world a better place. Now in its 17th year, this year's ceremony, in partnership with Samsung, is no different.
Winners from Lily Allen to Halle Bailey took to the stage in show-stopping outfits while delivering rousing acceptance speeches, but it was 28-year-old Georgia Harrison's speech that will go down in the WOTY history books.
Georgia is taking home the Activist of the Year Award for her unflinching bravery in taking on Stephen Bear in the UK's most notable image-based sexual abuse (or ‘revenge porn’) case to date. Georgia took Stephen to court in December 2022 after he posted and profited from a private video of them having sex, which was filmed without her consent. She won her civil case against Bear and was awarded record damages in an image abuse case. He was jailed for 21 months in March.
Taking to the stage, Georgia said: “It feels so magical to be standing here today accepting this award after what has been 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 voyuerism 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's calling for the government to change the laws on image-based sexual abuse.
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.”
The reforms follow an incredible campaign by Georgia Harrison.
“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. Real women aren’t perfect, and perfect women simply are not real.”
Georgia concluded: “Thank you so much to Glamour, to my mum, to Lara, and to all of the strong sexy magnificent women who have helped make me the person I am today.”
Georgia Harrison, we salute you.
