Mischa Barton has spoken publicly about being the latest high-profile case of revenge porn, after learning someone with whom she once had a relationship was trying to sell a sex tape of her.
Lawyers for the British-born actor have obtained a restraining order preventing publication of the footage, which was recorded without her consent, reports Sky News.
At a press conference in Los Angeles, Barton said: "I came forward to fight this not only for myself, but for all the women out there. I want to protect them from the pain and humiliation that I have had to go through. No woman should have to go through this."
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She added: "My absolute worst fear was realised when I realised that someone I thought I loved and trusted was filming my most intimate and private moments without my consent, with hidden cameras."
"Then I learned something even worse, that someone is trying to sell these videos and make them public.
"It is a very hard thing to do but I am glad that I am finally standing up for myself."
Her lawyer, Lisa Bloom, described the images and videos as a form of domestic abuse.
She added: "Revenge porn is a very common crime. It's scary, even for a celebrity, to stand up like this but it's important for girls and women to stand up for our rights."
Barton's comments came after Emma Watson announced she is also taking legal action after dozens of private images of her appeared online, reports the BBC.
A spokesman for the Beauty and the Beast star confirmed the pictures, which apparently originated from a magazine photoshoot, were stolen.
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