The hashtag #IBelieveHer has started trending on Twitter, after Irish rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding were found not guilty of raping a woman in Belfast.
After just 3 hours and 45 minutes of deliberation today, the jury acquitted all four defendants – including Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Blane McIlroy, and Rory Harrison.
Paddy Jackson was accused of rape and sexual assault, Stuart Olding was accused of oral rape, Blane McIlroy was accused of exposure, and Rory Harrison was accused of perverting the court of justice and withholding information.
Since the verdict news broke, many have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment, and stress how the verdict may deter victims of sexual assault from speaking out.
The #IBelieveHer hashtag gives an insight into how deeply upsetting this court case was for so many people. If nothing else, it must surely lead to a change in how rape trials are conducted. Is there any other crime in which the alleged victim appears to be the one on trial?
— Sarah McInerney (@SarahAMcInerney) March 28, 2018
In a WhatsApp group with other men and we’re all horrified by the Belfast Rape Trial verdict, especially how short the deliberations were. That poor girl, her family and friends will need a lot of support. It’s somewhat heartening to see the powerful #ibelieveher tweets.
— Darragh Doyle (@darraghdoyle) March 28, 2018
As someone who has been victim more than once, today’s verdict is why I never did anything about it 10 years ago.
Really disappointing…
If you’re upset by today @dublinrcc are amazing and you can talk to them on 1800778888 or me if you need.#IBelieveHer— ???? TARA STEWART ???????????? (@tarastewartdj) March 28, 2018
Why would ANY victim of a sexual crime report? WHY? There is so little chance of justice where rape or sexual assault is involved. My heart goes out to that woman. Abused, degraded, exposed, vilified and now discredited by a shitty misogynistic legal system. #IBelieveHer
— Taryn De Vere (@TarynDeVere) March 28, 2018
if this is true I am ashamed of this country, ashamed how we treat rape victims, ashamed how stigma that surrounds rape/rape culture can make a jury vote not guilty, ashamed that we have failed this poor poor woman, no wonder rape is rarely reported #IBelieveHer https://t.co/u3xgjxy4ZY
— georgie (@georgieIockhart) March 28, 2018
No words. No justice. I’ll never report my experience, this is just confirmation of my reason why. #IBelieveHer https://t.co/tbMwigDQMS
— Lᴇᴀɴɴᴇ Wᴏᴏᴅғᴜʟʟ (@LeanneWoodfull) March 28, 2018
The jurors might have acquitted, but they just handed that poor, poor woman a life sentence. Where to from here for women who report rape? #Belfast
— Nadine O’Regan (@NadineORegan) March 28, 2018
3 hours & 45 minutes deliberation for a 10 week trail where the victim was accused more than the actual accused.
What a fucking joke.
— Dublin Girlo (@dublin_girlo) March 28, 2018
I genuinely feel for all the people who won’t come forward or report what happens to them after watching the last 10 weeks.
— Dublin Girlo (@dublin_girlo) March 28, 2018
Author Louise O’Neill’s response to the news was particularly poignant.
Read her tweets below:
I have just heard that the defendants in the Ulster Rugby rape trial have been found not guilty and I feel sick to my stomach.
— Louise O’ Neill (@oneilllo) March 28, 2018
The system is poisoned at its very roots.
My heart is broken for that young woman and for all the other young woman who watched this case so closely, fearful and hopeful in equal measures.
I stand with you all.
— Louise O’ Neill (@oneilllo) March 28, 2018
If you have been affected by anything in this article, please call the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre‘s 24 Hour National Helpline on 1800 77 8888.
