Emily Atack has been praised by celebrities and fans alike as her documentary aired. The former Inbetweeners actress was seen opening up about her own experiences of sexual harassment in the BBC film titled, Emily Atack: Asking For It?
The hour-long show also explored how "something so grotesque, aggressive, malicious and violent" has evolved and can be tackled, with Emily speaking to a sexual violence and abuse councillor and online safety campaigners to learn why this has been normalised for so long. She also talks to police in the show about what is being done to protect women and girls.
Schoolgirls shared their own experiences with Emily over receiving unsolicited messages and pictures from people as young as 12, while the actress also headed to meet a group of men to ask them why they thought these messages, of which Emily can receive hundreds a day, are being sent.
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There were also more emotional moments for the comedian as she struggled to speak to her mum, actress Kate Robbins, about her experiences and how they had impacted her and her sexual activity over the years.
Emily, 33, was seen sitting down with her parents and showed them her Instagram messages inbox. Her dad said he believed seeing the messages would help him understand the magnitude of the situation, saying: "It is disgusting!" But when her mum was shown the messages she said: "I can’t even bring myself to read it." She added: "The psychological effect of going through that, I would be a wreck. I find it very upsetting to be honest," before getting up and walking away.
"I knew it would be a difficult conversation but this is all part of the problem because I feel shame and embarrassment," Emily admitted. "And mum’s reaction makes me think is she ashamed of me?" Later, they revisited the conversation where Emily emotionally shared how she wanted to hear her mum tell her that it 'isn't her fault'.
Explaining her earlier reaction, Kate said: "I am bound to walk off. Sometimes you have to because you don’t want to stay crying." She then said to Emily: "You haven’t told me much about it," to which Emily calmly hit back: "No you are completely wrong. I want someone to sit there and speak about what has happened. I am really damaged by a lot of what has happened. I see your pain in your face when we try and talk about things."
Emily then broke down in tears as her mum rushed to comfort her and said: "It is not your fault. I was just trying to protect you as a mum." And as the documentary aired on BBC2 on Tuesday night (January 31), social media became awash with messages of support.
@_su_bear_ tweeted: "Actually cried tonight watching #AskingForIt by #EmilyAtack. What an insight into what we have to go through as girls and women. Thank you Emily for sharing your experience." @greg_phtb shared: "#EmilyAtack #askingforit Should be shown in schools/colleges or whatever environment makes this hit home. Sick me are not all men. @EmAtack extremely brave and honest when there’s a society that’s created the problem."
@chrisberthoud said: "You are incredible @EmAtack thank you so much for creating such a powerful programme. #EmilyAtack." @DavidMackayy echoed: "What a bloody excellent documentary by @EmAtack, should be shown in schools across the country #askingforit #EmilyAtack." @SamRobMash5 added: "@EmAtack we need more of you. You brave, beautiful soul. YOU are a role model I want for my two daughters. It isn’t just a case of blocking! I am angry. Really angry. This is not ok. Ever. Stay strong Emily. #AskingForIt #EmilyAtack."
Earlier on Tuesday, Emily broke down in tears as she appeared on This Morning. She was chatting to hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield when she spoke about one man who repeatedly messages her crude messages. "He calls himself 'Daddy Dave to me' and constantly says the word 'daddy' which is a really psychologically horrible thing," she said before beginning to cry.
Phillip then asked: "Does he show his face?," as Emily shook her head. Whilst Emily was crying, Holly, 41, then reached over to hold her hand and comfort her, as she told her 'I know, it's horrible." Phil added: "You want to be able to track them down and identify them because of what they are putting you through."
Wiping away her tears, Emily added: "I'm terrified of exposing someone and then I've ruined their life," to which mum-of-three Holly replied: "You don't need to worry about anybody apart from yourself."
Emily's documentary comes after she previously campaigned against cyberflashing, where individuals send unsolicited explicit images online, and spoke about the issue in Parliament last February. In March last year, the UK Government announced that cyberflashing would become a new criminal offence with perpetrators facing up to two years behind bars.
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