A woman who really is ‘brave and inspiring’

THE words ‘inspiring and brave’ are all too frequently bandied about and attributed to women, very often celebrities, for some mediocre feat or tweet.

But the unwavering courage, determination and selflessness displayed this week by young rape survivor Ciara Monaghan, 19, is a genuinely inspiring act that deserves recognition.

In waiving her right to anonymity so her abuser could be named, the quiet, unassuming Ms Monaghan faced her abuser and stood strong and dignified in front of cameras and very simply but powerfully said: ‘Today I stand in front of you a survivor.’

These few small words come with all of the trauma of being raped by her foster father. And while Ciara was speaking about herself, she was speaking for all women.

In sentencing Tipperary man Richard Moloney, Judge Alex Owens said he had shown no remorse and had lied on oath during the trial. He described the effect of the crimes on the victim as ‘very destructive’ and said she has suffered enormously.

Outside of the courthouse, Ciara acknowledged how important the sentence a rapist gets is to the victim. She said: ‘I hope, from today, that I can take back my life and that Richard takes back all of the blame, guilt, shame and anger that he has caused me.’

Ciara’s courthouse statement is reminiscent of Lavinia Kerwick, who trod a similar difficult and daring path in 1992 after she named her rapist who was handed a suspended sentence.

Such was the impact of Lavinia’s words and courageousness, it resulted in her rapist, William Conroy, having his sentence increased and led to his incarceration.

But in naming her attacker Lavinia also stirred a national conversation around sexual assault, shining a light on the detrimental effect assaults have on the victims. It was also thanks to Lavinia’s commitment that in criminal cases including rape, victims can now make an impact statement before a judge pronounces the sentence.

Ciara’s case should also lead to a much-needed scrutiny of the foster care system to ensure that the families with whom vulnerable young chlidren are placed, are both suitable and, at the very least, safe.