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."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
-
6 vibrant homes with art studiosFeature Featuring a six-bedroom home in Vermont and a rustic-modern house in California
-
Experts are worried about tuberculosis again
Speed Read The deadly disease regained its crown as the world's biggest infectious killer in October 2022
-
The daily gossip: Beyoncé is bringing the 'Renaissance' tour to movie theaters, Taylor Swift attends another Chiefs game with famous pals, and more
Feature The daily gossip: October 2, 2023
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
-
Squirrel kebabs on London menu
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
-
Drug could allow you to 'grow new teeth'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
-
Woman reunited with egg she signed in 1951
It Wasn't All Bad Good news stories from the past seven days
-
10 things you need to know today: September 16, 2023
Daily Briefing Ripple effects seen throughout auto industry as UAW strikes, Lee expected to bring flooding and storm winds to New England, and more
-
American rescued after 12 days in Turkish cave
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
