Knickers to the law
TD slams treatment of alleged rape victims in courts
A TD held up a pair of knickers in the Dail yesterday to protest against the treatment of alleged rape victims in court.
Solidarity’s Ruth Coppinger raised the issue after a jury in a recent case was asked to consider the fact the complainant was wearing a thong at the time of the possible assault.
While brandishing the underwear, Ms Coppinger asked: “How do you think a rape victim feels? How heroic do you have to be
Taoiseach to pursue a rape trial in this country?” She also asked why it was acceptable to hold up and discuss underwear in courtrooms.
The question to Leo Varadkar comes just days after a social media campaign was sparked by the case in which a female solicitor referenced the alleged victim’s underwear to the jury.
Twitter users began posting pictures of their garments online, with the hashtag #Thisisnotconsent, which quickly went viral both in Ireland and abroad.
Protests are to be held throughout the country this week due to the support for the social media campaign.
One of the organisers Fiona Ryan said: “It’s absolutely appalling. This case and the particular awfulness of what was said is endemic in our judiciary system and it’s par for the course.
“It’s actually very regular to see this type of thing be brought up in any case of sexual violence, particularly sexual violence against women.
“This is really a demand for systemic change for people, particularly women, but every victim of sexual violence, to get a fair hearing.
“The international solidarity that’s been extended to these awful cases when they’re exposed will go a long way towards pushing for genuine legal change and, unfortunately, that comes from above, but we’re going to push from below to ensure it happens now.”
A march will take place in Limerick at 12.30pm today, with rallies in Dublin and Cork at 1pm. A protest in Waterford will be held at 3.30pm on Friday. Women’s rights group ROSA, which has organised multiple rallies, said the reference to underwear was a “disgrace” and called for an end to “victim blaming in the courts”.
It wrote on social media: “These lines of character accusation and victim-blaming are unfortunately a common tactic used in cases before the courts relating to sexual violence.
“Clothing has nothing to do with consent.”
This is a demand for systemic change, for people to get a fair hearing fiona ryan yesterday