By Christopher Rosa. Photos: Getty Images.
Mischa Barton broke her silence today about reports that she is the victim of "revenge porn" (an instance when a sexual partner tries to publish intimate photos or videos of you without consent). The O.C. star confirmed that this is happening to her—and the situation is realizing her "absolute worst fear."
“I’ve been put through an incredibly hard and trying time," Barton said at a press conference Wednesday (March 15), according to The Wrap. "This is a painful situation, and my absolute worst fear was realized when I learned that someone I thought I loved and trusted was filming my most intimate and private moments, without my consent with hidden cameras.”
She continued, “And then I learned something even worse—that somebody is trying to sell these videos and make them public.”
Barton said this "horrific" experience has caused her "pain and humiliation." However, the actress says she's happy she came forward. “It is a very hard thing to do, but I am glad that I am finally standing up for myself,” Barton explained.
Barton's attorney (Lisa Bloom) echoed this in a separate statement, saying that she's dedicated to fully prosecuting whoever is responsible for this.
“It has been reported that naked or sexually explicit images of Ms. Barton are being shopped around,'" Bloom said, per The Wrap. "Ms. Barton does not consent to any disclosure of any such images. She believes that she was recorded without her consent by someone she was seeing at the time. There’s a name for this disgusting conduct: revenge pornography. Revenge pornography is a form of sexual assault, and it is also a crime and a civil wrong in California. And we will not stand for it.”
Barton isn't the only female celebrity who's had private photos and videos leaked. In 2014, a hacker published intimate photos of several celebrities, including Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton, without their consent. In January, the man behind the attack was sentenced to prison. Just this past week, private photos of Emma Watson from a dress fitting were hacked.
Hopefully, Mischa Barton finds the justice (and peace) she needs to get through this difficult time.
This story originally appeared on Glamour.
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