A VICTIM, who’s stalker ex leaked intimate pictures of her, has branded Georgia Harrison “amazing” for speaking out.
Karolina Smith, 26, has waived her right to anonymity after former partner Ben Rothon, 37, shared naked images of her on Instagram.
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The young woman was left feeling “terrified” when she started being stalked and harassed following the breakdown of the relationship.
Things got worse when her friends and family started being followed by an Instagram account Rothon had created.
Using Karolina’s full name, naked photos and videos were posted to the page.
Karolina reported the abuse to the police and a revenge porn charity and Rothon was arrested in September 2019.
When he was found guilty at Basildon Crown Court, Karolina said he showed “no remorse” for his actions.
Rothon was sentenced to 25 months in prison for stalking with causing serious alarm or distress and disclosing private sexual photographs with the intent to cause distress.
Karolina, a recent university graduate, from Lancaster, Lancashire, said Georgia’s case against Stephen Bear, 32, took her back to her own traumatic experience.
She said: “I followed that case from beginning-to-end, and it made me so angry.
“Stephen Bear got a very similar sentence to Ben – and, like Ben, I felt he showed absolutely no remorse.
“Women like Georgia Harrison shouldn’t have to fight to prove something horrendous happened to them.
“It’s our reality, every day. Why can’t people just believe us?”
Georgia recently won her revenge porn battle against reality star Bear.
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Shameless Bear filmed the consensual sex on CCTV between the two when they were a couple.
He then made at least £40,000 on OnlyFans from uploading the clip.
After Georgia bravely spoke out and spent two-and-a-half-years trying to get justice, Bear was jailed earlier this month.
He was given 21 months behind bars, placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and was slapped with a five-year restraining order banning him from contacting Georgia.
Tonight, an ITV doc called “Revenge Porn: Georgia vs. Bear”, will tell Georgia’s story from start to finish.
Karolina added: “I think she’s absolutely amazing for speaking out in the ITV documentary – if I had the same platform, I’d be doing the exact same thing.
“She’s a brilliant example to women everywhere – especially the women who know exactly what she’s going through.
“She’s giving us a voice.”
Karolina said her ordeal left her with a depression diagnosis.
Rothon was released on November 5, 2021, however, was also handed a restraining order – which is valid for another six years.
How you can get help
Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
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