Rally against misogyny
A RALLY in support of the young woman at the centre of the high-profile rape trial is set to take place outside Ulster Rugby’s grounds in Belfast today.
Hundreds are expected to take part in the protest outside Kingspan Stadium before the Ulster team plays Welsh side Ospreys in their first home match since the trial of Paddy Jackson and his teammate Stuart Olding ended.
The Belfast Feminist Network, one of the organisers of the ‘Stamp out Misogyny at Ulster Rugby’ demonstration, is expecting a huge turnout. Thousands of people across Ireland turned out for rallies supporting the woman at the centre of the case, in the immediate aftermath of the acquittal of Mr Jackson, Mr Olding, Blane McIlroy and Rory Harrison two weeks ago.
BFN said it was part of ‘a movement to change how our criminal justice system deals with sexual assault crimes’.
The group said its members were ‘still angry at the underbelly of sexism and misogyny that was revealed in evidence given during the recent trial’.
The network added: ‘This rally is not about the future careers of the players currently suspended. We are sending a message that there needs to be action taken by Ulster Rugby and other institutions to stamp out misogyny.’
The group is calling for reforms to the North’s criminal justice system in cases of alleged sexual assaults, and wants an education programme on ‘consent and toxic masculinity’ to be taught in schools.