The recent imprisonment of former reality television personality Stephen Bear for breaching a restraining order has once again brought national attention to the lasting impact that abuse can have on survivors.

The background to the case

Stephen Bear was originally convicted in 2022 of voyeurism and disclosing private and intimate sexual photographs and films after secretly recording himself having sex with his former partner, Georgia Harrison, on CCTV before uploading the footage to his OnlyFans account without her knowledge or consent. In March 2023, he was sentenced to 21 months' imprisonment following conviction, made subject to a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting or referring to Ms Harrison, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register. Ms Harrison also successfully pursued a civil claim against Bear, obtaining damages of more than £200,000 for the misuse of her private information and the distress caused by the unlawful disclosure of the intimate footage.

Despite those criminal and civil proceedings, the abuse did not end. Following his release from prison, Bear repeatedly breaching the restraining order by posting about Ms Harrison on social media, prompting his recent return to prison. The court heard that he continued to post about Ms Harrison online despite being prohibited from doing so, with the judge describing his conduct as victim blaming and harmful and was ultimately sentenced by a Judge after admitting breaches of a restraining order made to protect Harrison. The Judge noted how Bear had subjected Harrison to "extensive humiliation and embarrassment", with the CPS commenting he had shown a "complete lack of remorse" throughout the proceedings.

This case demonstrates an important reality for many survivors of abuse that even after a criminal conviction, victims may continue to experience harassment, intimidation and ongoing psychological harm. It also highlights why legal protections, including restraining orders and, where appropriate, civil compensation claims, remain an important part of helping survivors achieve justice and rebuild their lives.

Georgia Harrison's campaign for legal reform

Georgia Harrison has become one of the UK's leading campaigners against image-based sexual abuse. Following her case, she has worked with government, campaign groups and technology companies to strengthen protections for victims and raise awareness of the devastating impact of the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Her campaigning contributed to wider reforms introduced through the Online Safety Act 2023, which created new offences covering the sharing and threatening to share intimate images without consent, moving the law beyond the narrower concept of "revenge porn" and providing greater protection for victims regardless of an offender's motive. Her work has helped encourage more survivors to come forward and seek both criminal justice and civil redress.

Criminal justice is only one part of the picture

The criminal courts are concerned with determining whether someone has committed a criminal offence and, if so, imposing an appropriate sentence.

However, criminal proceedings do not necessarily compensate survivors for the harm they have suffered.

Depending on the circumstances, survivors of abuse may also have the right to pursue a civil compensation claim. Civil claims are entirely separate from criminal proceedings and are designed to compensate victims for the injuries and losses they have experienced.

In many cases, a civil claim can proceed regardless of whether there has been a criminal conviction.

Abuse can take many forms

The Bear case centred on the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and the ongoing harassment that followed. However, abuse is not limited to one particular type of conduct.

Civil compensation claims may arise from a wide range of abusive behaviour, including:

• Sexual abuse and sexual assault.
• Childhood abuse.
• Abuse committed within institutions, hospitals or other medical settings, therapy, schools, religious organisations, sports organisations, youth clubs or care settings such as in care homes, children homes, foster placements or other care under the local authority.
• Abuse by someone in a position of trust.
• Online sexual abuse, including image-based abuse and the sharing of intimate images without consent.
• Coercive or controlling behaviour where it has caused recognised psychiatric injury or forms part of a wider abuse claim.

A civil claim is about accountability as well as compensation

Many survivors tell us that pursuing a civil claim is about more than financial compensation.

It can provide:

• Recognition of the harm that has been suffered.
• Independent accountability from those responsible.
• Access to compensation for psychiatric injury, lost earnings and other financial losses where appropriate.
• In some cases, accountability from organisations that failed to protect victims or ignored warning signs.

For some people, a civil claim represents an important step in rebuilding their lives.

Time limits are not always straightforward

One of the most common misconceptions is that it is "too late" to bring a claim.

Whilst limitation periods do apply to civil claims, the law recognises that survivors of abuse may not be ready to come forward immediately. In some cases, the courts have discretion claims to proceed outside the usual limitation period. In cases concerning childhood sexual abuse, recent changes in law have removed the limitation period entirely.

This means that even if many years have passed, it may still be worth seeking specialist legal advice before assuming that a claim cannot be pursued.

Confidential advice for survivors

Every survivor's circumstances are unique. Whether abuse occurred recently or many years ago, understanding your legal options is an important first step.

Our specialist civil abuse lawyers advise survivors on compensation claims arising from sexual abuse, childhood abuse and image-based sexual abuse. We understand that making contact can be difficult, and all enquiries are handled sensitively, confidentially and without obligation.

If you would like to discuss whether you may have a civil compensation claim, our specialist team is here to help.

Contact Hannah Hodgson at hannah.hodgson@switalskis.com or Danielle Vincent at danielle.vincent@switalkis.com , specialist abuse lawyers, for a confidential discussion about your legal rights.