Mumsnet Talk

Dear Mumsnet
As you are no doubt aware, there has been the most extraordinary hate campaign waged this week by some football fans, against a rape victim in the wake of the Ched Evans Guilty Verdict.

The jist of the hatespeak, has been that a drunk woman has no right to expect the basic human right of not having her body penetrated without her active participation in that sexual act, or even her passive consent. Presumably because men (or at least footballers and their friends) have the right to penetrate women who are incapable of consent. And that if a man rapes you, it is because you are a slut, a slag and all the other hate-speak words used to de-humanise women and make it easier for people not to empathise with us when we are abused.

This week has seen the really ugly spectacle, of a bunch of men asserting their right to rape women, handmaidens supporting that right and both of them sending out a clear warning to all other rape victims, to know what to expect if they dare to pursue justice if they are raped.

If there had been a similar outpouring of hatred against any other historically oppressed group, the rest of the media would have been tearing their hair out analysing why some men hated this group so much, where the hatred came from, why it existed, what could be done about it; but ironically apart from the Daily Fail, there has been very little comment in response to the Twitter hate-campaign. If Twitter had buzzed with indignation at the jailing of the man who posted hate-speak about Fabrice Muamba, I’ve no doubt that the FA would have tracked down the posters and banned them from football matches. Because they’re busy kicking racism out of football. Sexism, though, is fine. They can give a bloody award to a convicted rapist, while their supporters conduct what must be a terrifying hate campaign against his teenage victim– right now, football fans don’t look all that much better than the Taliban, do they?

Mumsnet, will you use the voice you have against this horrible hate campaign? Will you tell the woman that Ched Evans raped, that We Believe Her? Will you ask the FA to state publicly, that they too, believe her and that in future, they will work as hard to kick sexism out of football, as they do to kick racism out?

Thank You.

Well said, come on MN make a stand.

Yes, I agree.

yes. agree.
Well said, Basil.

I believe her.

I Believe Her.

I believe her.

Very well said OP.

I believe her and she's not a slut.

I beleive her.

We believe you

Ibelieve her.

I believe her.

I believe you

I believe you.xxx

I believe you.

I believe you.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I have been thinking of her all week.

Thank you for this thread. I would LOVE institutionalised misogyny to be acknowledged and tackled the way institutionalised racism is beginning to be.

I believe her.

I believe her.

The FA should be ashamed of itself. A convicted rapist should have no place in football.

I believe her.

I believe her.

Thank you Basil for this thread.

It is time that the despicable and throwaway treatment of women by footballers is halted.

I believe her, I am absolutely disgusted by what has went on and the comments that have been made about this poor girl.

I believe her.

Thank you for this thread.

I believe her.

I was shocked and disgusted that her name had been released and spent my journey to work yelling at the radio at their lack of outrage and horror that this is the society we live in. To have gone through the rape itself, to have the courage and strength of will to make it through a court case, only to be the victim of the most hateful abuse afterwards, must be soul destroying. I believe her. And hope that she has surrounded herself with people who love her and let her know that this hatefulness is nothing to do with her, but a hateful subgroup of society who we should all be ashamed off.

Brilliant idea, great post Basil

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her and shes not a slut or a whore.

I believe her.

Amen

I believe her.

I didn't know anything about this because we don't follow football in America, but having read up on it I am disgusted and saddened.

I too was raped as a 19 year old, too drunk to move or speak, let alone consent.

I BELIEVE YOU.

Ched is vile and his girlfriend should be ashamed of herself for "standing by" someone who'd treat another woman this way.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I also believe that those supporting Ched Evans and his like need to consider carefully why a young man who is reasonably good looking and successful and could easily find a woman who would willingly engage in fun, adult consensual sex would choose to pick out the drunkest girl he could find, text his mate to say he "got" a girl and then have sex in front of his friend, invite him to join in and have it filmed. It is not normal behaviour, it is despicable even without the issue of consent.

I believe her.

i believe you

I believe her. Cannot believe the way she has been treated... Gross understatement..

I have not come across this, for the same reason as Cheerful Yank, but I have no doubt she is telling the truth, in light of the fact of how hard it is to get the CPS to bring a rapist to trial, let alone get a conviction.
Will the sentence reflect the seriousness of his crime, though?

I believe her.

Come on mn.

Lifetime ban, whatever the sentence. And the FA need to state that any footballer bringing the sport into disrepute will receive a lifetime ban as well. This happens way too often. Institutional condemnation is required, not tacit acceptance.

I believe her.

It would be amazing to see something in the press supporting this girl and taking a stand against the hate campaign she has been subjected to.

I believe her.

And I also think the FA has a duty to send a message that this kind of behaviour is not just illegal it is unacceptable.

It fucking horrifies me that we live in a society where this kind of crime is seen as some sort of recreational activity.

And what about all the other footballers out there? Why have they not come out in support of this poor woman and condemned the actions of this fucking bastard? In their position I'd want to be sure I wasn't tarred with the same brush. It isn't just women who should be appalled by this, any decent man should be actively campaigning against it too.

I believe her.

I Believe Her.

I believe her

And great post basil

I believe her

I believe her.

Poor girl, my heart goes out to her.

I believe her. I second the suggestion of a lifetime ban from the FA.

I believe her.

i believe her.

I believe her

I believe her

I believe her. Come on MN and MNers, this needs to be big.

I believe her

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe that no scumbag has the right to have sex with an unconsenting person.

Lifetime ban, I definitely agree, why should this man still be in the public eye for our sons to look up to?

I believe you.

I believe her

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe you sweetheart & you hold your head up bloody high because the morons who support this vile hate campaign are showing themselves for the ignorant unfeeling twats they are and this thread hopefully will show you that there ARE decent human beings who will support you ...women AND men.

Basil-thanks for doing this. Could we link to the offending twitter posts not that I want to to read it but so we can all complain to Twitter-or has it gone?

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her

MNHQ does an opportunity even exist for you to publicly condem that vile man and his vile supporters? I can't believe that the media are not more vocal about this, or have I missed it?

I believe her

I know the story but have purposefully tried to avoid the horrific comments that have been made. Having been in a similar, vulnerable position as a drunk teen, it hit quite close to home. I realise now that it was the wrong attitude and that this is more the way to go, so I'm standing with you -

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her.

Well said, I believe her.

Great post basil.

Please can we do this mn?

I believe her.

It's time the FA took some responsibility for football culture of which sexism/misogyny are a black mark. Take it as seriously as racism and bloody speak out about how unacceptable it is!

I believe her. The bloody courts believed her, who do the FA think they are by letting this hate campaign go unnoticed?

I believe her.

Has MNHQ picked up on this yet? Will report in case.

MNHQ, this is important stuff. We have a voice, please enable us to use it.

well said everyone.

i really feel for the poor woman...just horrific, and to now be 'punished' by those fans of the rapist is just awful. why are they allowed to get away with it?

i read in the paper that there was going to be an applause at something like 35 minutes in in support of the guy...did that happen?

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her, and so did the jury.

It does not even matter if we believe her. It has been PROVEN. He has been CONVICTED of rape. Every man and woman supporting him should feel ashamed!!!

I believe her and would not want to stand by while she is bullied in such a vile way.

Chandon
You are right, it should be irrelevant if we believe her since the jury found him guilty of rape. But it is not, because so many are supporting him.

Society has to find him guilty, not just the court.

I believe her. So did the police. So did the CPS. So did the jury.

She has done nothing wrong and I really hope she has some great supportive people around her.

agree with you.

He was found guilty in a court of law.

I believe her.

I believe her.

Thanks, Basil, for doing this. Mumsnet, please take this up.

I believe her.

The FA need to stand up and be counted for once and not bury their head in the sand and not prop up (or even perpetuate) the very real misogyny in the sport.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe you.

And I think you were incredibly, incredibly brave to go to the police and through the courts. You deserve an award.

I believe her

I believe her

Can't we get #ibelieveher trending or something?

At least it would take away from the negative bollocks these shithouses have been saying

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her.

And I am sickened by tha story. Thanks Basil.

This.

We believe you.

I hope someone she knows is on MN (if she herself isn't) and points her in the direction of this thread.

I believe you.

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/04/28/bid-for-public-show-of-support-for-ched-evans-at-sheffield-united-falls-flat-91466-30861200/

I'm a man and a football fan and I believe her.

I'm glad this stupid minority of idiots got drowned out at the game.

I believer you.

I believe you.

I believe her.

i believe her

I believe her. So glad the Sheffield United support was a wash out.

I believe her.

I would like the FA to demonstrate that they believe her too.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe you, stay strong and hold your head high.

I believe you. Such despicable behaviour by the Ched supporters, don't they have mothers/ sisters/ girlfriends/ daughters?

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her and the court believed her.

Being a good footballer doesn't make you a good man. I'd like some of the people who are supporting convicted rapist Ched Evans to imagine that was their daughter, or sister, who had the misfortune to encounter him and his revolting friends that night.

I believe her. No excuses. No defence. It's not harmless banter, it's life destroying to persecute her further online.

I believe her. And what mrsrisotto said. People who are supporting this scumbag are just as bad.

I believe her.

BasilFoulEggs good post and some very good points raised on this thread.

I believe her.

I believe her

His sister has set up a Facebook page?

Shall we start an I believe her campaign on the wall?

I believe her.

Sorry, meant to link: Securing an Immediate Retrail for Ched Evens (sic)

It might be better to check with her sister first. I find the concept that anyone wouldnt believe it very odd given the circumstances and the conviction, so if that idea isnt already on the page I wouldnt introduce it, IYSWIM.

Sorry, its his sister, I thought it was her sister.

I believe her

BasilFoulEggs - well said.

I believe you, sweetheart. I am so sorry you have to go through this. x

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her. It wasn't her fault, and she isn't a slag or a slut. The onus was on the rapist not to rape.

I too want to see misogyny stamped out of professional football.

I believe her

Tee
much as I would love to do that, posting on that page is only going to start an internet slanging match, out of which no one will come out looking good.

I do wonder if it is against some FB code though. Could we all report the page?

I believe her.

I don't believe that the other defendant has walked away scot free from what must have been a cast iron case of aiding and abetting rape (although found not guilty of rape himself) and I think he should have his name dragged through the dirt for his actions.

oh, actually. Just seen your posts on FB.

Might change my mind. That is good.

I believe her.

I believe her!

Most of the UK believe you, if you ever find any way of reading this. And I'm sorry some people are so shitty. But please try not to listen to the small minority who are causing you pain.

I believe her

I believe her.

How about a simple "I believe her" on the FB page. Nothing else, just that statement.

No discussions, just a statement of fact.

I believe her

I believe her.

Come on mnhq!

I believe her. So did the courts.

Time to stamp out the nasty attitude towards women among footballers and supporters (it's not just this case is it? Imogen Thomas had her name dragged through the mud, there are those vile chants about Victoria Beckham etc etc)

I believe her.

I dont believe that facebook page. He should be aquitted because his team need him? What possible relevance does that have?

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her

A Facebook page is an open forum. We have every right to post on it. Just as they have every right to register for MN and post here. But I don't think they're quite that stupid.

I believe you sweetheart. X

I believe her.

I belive her.

Tee they're supporting rapists, they probably are that stupid.

I believe her.

th only reason i wont post on that page is you have to 'like' it to comment, and i refuse to do that out of principle.

we'd be better off setting up another page.

They are deleting the "I believe her" comments on FB.

I believe her. I'm horrified at the support he has. It basically comes down to a belief hat footballers are above the law. They're not, and the conviction should stand, followed by a lifetime ban by the fa when he's released.

Moobaawoo, I didn't like the page and was able to comment. Seems pointless though if they can delete the comments. Might just complain to Facebook asking for the page to be removed.

I believe her.

You didn't have 'like' it earlier, MooBaa. they are deleting comments and appear to have changed the settings now. I was going to repost but again, won't 'like' the page.

btw, just been reading about the case - and noticed this

"Nita Dowell, senior crown prosecutor in Wales, said: "Ched Evans took advantage of a vulnerable young woman who was in no fit state to consent to sexual activity.

"It is a myth that being vulnerable through alcohol consumption means that a victim is somehow responsible for being raped. The law is clear: being vulnerable through drink or drugs does not imply consent."

which implies that the CP had been following the MN campaign, where we quashed "rape myths".

I believe her

I believe her

I believe her

Can we do #ibelieveher as suggested on Twitter?

I believe you.
good for you for getting a conviction, even though it must have been really tough, especially as it's only 'half' a conviction.

I believe her

Been lurking for a while but this campaign has prompted me to post on FB (also first post there) saying I believe in her as did the jury. Noted several other very recent posts of the same nature. I've just checked back on that FB site and all the 'I believe' posts seem to have disappeared. Can the owner of a FB page remove posts they don't like?

I believe her, and I admire her for fighting fr justice in the face of a hate campaign.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her. Poor girl.

I can't believe women are saying that if a teenage girl voluntarily goes to a man's hotel room, she tacitly agrees to whatever happens to her from that point on. If they had murdered her, would she also have consented to that? It's madness.

I believe her.

I believe her.

Thank you for starting this thread.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I have been sickened by this case and the subsquent support for this rapist. Given how low conviction rates are for rape I am astonished that people can claim he is innocent.

I have been sharing The F Word's link to a petition to get the PFA to act about this, I urge you all to do the same.

I believe her.

Fantastic post OP. Well written.

I believe her.

The PFA (Professional Footballers Association) has decided not to remove Ched's name from the League One team of the year.

Is there a sponsor of this? That is always a good place to start when campaigning.

I believe her.

I believe her.

The court believed her.

The FA should hang it's head. My 4 y.o son is fast becoming a football fan. This is NOT a culture I'm looking forward to him being exposed to.

I believe her

I believe her. Dh believes her. DS and DD believe her.
The men and women who condone what he did are vile and horrible.

I believe her

I posted on the fb wall the same, but was deleted as were all other 'I believe her' comments.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe you.

Hold your head high, you have done nothing wrong.

I believe her.

I believe her too

Well said, Op.

I believe her.

The court believed her.

I believe her

I believe her.

And I am stunned that his mate was not found guilty of rape as well.

I believe her

I have signed the petition.

I will email mp

What else can we do?

I believe you.

Ched Evans is a rapist; the woman he had sex with did not give her consent.

I am sickened by some of the online responses to this rape - particularly by women.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her

Football League One (often referred to as League One for short or Npower League 1 for sponsorship reasons) is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.

it seems NPower is the sponser of the league...

I believe her

Can we let her know 200 people signed this overnight?

I believe her and admire her for having the strength to report it and see it through to a conviction.

I believe her.

i believe her too.

I believe her.

I don't think the PFA has a sponsor. It is the organisation representing footballers across the 4 league divisions and beyond, and is financed by subs, paid by members.
NPower have nothing to do with the PFA choices.

fwiw, I looked up the Sheff Uts website. They appear a bit mixed. They have removed his name from the 'player profile' bit, but have allowed Evans' barristers to make a statement.

I Believe her.

Please all have a look at this too www.change.org/petitions/professional-footballers-association-drop-ched-evans-from-the-league-one-team-of-the-year-honours-list

Well, if Npower is the sponsor of the league - can we go for them?

I believe you. It wasn't your fault. I'm so sorry you are going through this. I will do anything I can to help.

I believe her, and am sickened at the amount of men and (more so) women that don't.

It shouldn't take that much common sense or intelligence to realise that just because you (they) wouldn't get stinking drunk and go back to a hotel room doesn't make it wrong to do so, and absolutely doesn't excuse anything that happens from then on. Staying in at night could lower your chance of being mugged but that doesn't mean going out at night excuses someone mugging you! Why is this seen as so different to some people?

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe you and admire your bravery. By reporting it, you did something I didn't have the strength to do when I was raped.

I'm going to make my son read that letter when he gets to 16. Too many men i encounter would she 'she had it coming/asked for it etc'

100% BELIEVE HER.

I hope somehow she sees this thread.

I believe her.

We believe you.

I especially 'like' the their statement: 'It would have drawn more attention to it had we pulled him'
... unbelievable...

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her. Of course I believe her.

Thanks for posting this, Basil

I believe her.

I also would like to say how pleased I am that this case was prosecuted in the first place, because clearly the police, CPS, judge and jury believed her too, and too often that's not how it goes, as we all know from some of the stories MNers have shared in the past. Perhaps 'we believe you' is starting to make a real difference to prosecution practice. I hope so. High profile prosecutions will hopefully make a difference and I salute the woman's courage for going through with it.

We believe you

I believe her.

the Facebook page that Tee linked earlier here is currently allowing comments without liking the page.

Just saying.

I believe you x

Am tweeting with the #Ibelieveyou hashtag, if anyone else is on Twitter.

I believe her

MmeL - for what exactly. They sponsor the League infrastructure. No authority or influence over Evans, PFA or SUFC

have signed the petition for the PFA to reconsider. totally wrong message.

I believe her.

I believe you, love. I wish you lots of strength to continue in the amazingly brave way that you have done so far x

I believe her.

Noticed this morning one of the top stories on BBC website is about the appointment of the new England manager. I wonder if there is a way to link that in? Maybe ask Hodgson's views on this and on attitudes in the football world/the behaviour he would expect from the England team?

I believe her

That Facebook page made me feel sick.

I believe her.

I'm so angry at some of the comments I've read. It's beyond disgusting that she is being treated in this way.

Pan
If they sponsor the League then of course they have influence - indirectly.

Do you think they would ignore thousands of irate MNetters?

@GabyHinsliff has also tweeted about it - making a news story of it

I believe her.

I believe her.

Thanks for starting this Basil and thanks MNHQ too.

I believe her

I believe her

I believe her.

Thanks Basil for a great post and thanks Justine for linking in with EVAW

No, they don't, not re Evans. The PFA are entirely autonomous, paid by subs. no link to NPower.

I believe you and am so sorry that your horrific experience is being trivialised by the media.

Thanks Basil

I belive her.

I believe her.

Am rounding up friends to register and post on this thread.

I Believe Her. And I hope someone on here knows her and can show her this thread, so she can see our support for her

I believe her.

I believe you.

Thanks Basil, brilliant letter .

I believe her.

I believe her.

Am tweeting with the #ibelieveyou hashtag

I believe her.

I believe her.

They are deleting comments on that page as soon as you put them up. Not sure who Frothy is but I saw your comment come and go practically as I was reading it.

I so hope we can mobilise this thread into being a huge force to be reckoned with; a reasoned and informative response to all the vile, sexist crap that is being peddled in the name of supporting a footballer.

Tweeting too.

I believe her.

I believe her.

It's time the FA stepped in and cleaned up it's act. How can footballers be held up as role models to our children when some players bring the game into such disrepute. I for one will not be buying any FA related merchandise while they stand by and condone rape.

I believe her

Does @npower_League1 want to be associated with PFA Team of The Year award honouring a convicted rapist? http://ow.ly/aB5tF #Ibelieveher

I believe her. I have posted on the FB page too. Lets hope that Cheds sister never has to suffer the way his victim has.

I believe her, and think she is very brave for bringing case in first place.

I believe her.

I believe you.

I believe her.

I believe a sense of entitlement among footballers is disgusting.
I believe clubs foster this attitude - every whim pandered to, behaviour on the pitch condoned etc.
I believe braying fans build the players up into their belief of being gods.
I believe sexism is taking on new, disturbing, subtle and damaging forms.

I believe this girl has been through a horrendous ordeal and that it's time women spoke up against the male-driven media hype, public reinforcement of such skewed views and the misogyny at large.

Well posted, OP

I believe her

Me too. And you can sign this petition to ask the Professional Footballers Association to take him off their honours list. http://chn.ge/Kkc2JV
it was started by a secondary school teacher who felt it send out the wrong message to his pupils.

The judging panel comprises Sky Sports Football League expert Peter Beagrie, Football League Head of Communications John Nagle, BBC Sport's Mark Clemmit and npower Head of Sponsorship Emma Collins.

Those are the people responsible for giving Evans his POTM award.

I believe you sweetheart. I am so sorry this has happened to you. Have strength x

I believe her.

Well said OP. Also a lot of the hate has come from other women

I BELIEVE HER

where is the fb page?

I believe her

Can someone please tell me the facebook page name?

I do not want my football mad son to grow up surrounded by such "role models"

FA sort this out!

I agree that a lot of hate has come from other women. I honestly believe that is down to the WAG culture, and how some women feel that they are 'lucky' to be with a footballer. Its a shameful situation.

I believe her.

There is a FB page called 'Securing an Immediate retrial for Ched Evans' - it has 4367 likes

Which hashtag are we using? #ibelieveyou or#webelieveyou

I believe you too.

And tbh he has been found guilty. What else is there to say!?!

Ibelieveher

im using @webelieveyou

I am using #Ibelieveher - since that is what most people were posting here.

I believe her.

That's what I was using Mme but have seen 3 different ones #IBelieveHer #IBelieveYou and #WeBelieveYou

I think if we all agree to use the same one then there will be more power in numbers?

I believe her.

I believe her.
and am disgusted at how she has been treated

Im astounded by some of the comments on that site.

Even women suggesting that just because she went back to his hotel room that she was 'fair game'.

what. the. fuck?????

https://www.facebook.com/SecuringAnImmediateRetrailForChedEvans

I just posted - don't need to like

Interesting article

just got deleted - think they've got on top of it, still, here's another link to the Drop Ched petition: http://chn.ge/KpjJi3

Also, this page pretty despicable - have reported it: http://on.fb.me/Kry7KV

That fb page is distressing
I didn't post on it because I don't want to be traceable

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe you.

That facebook page is just beyond belief.

I believe you.

Amazing to see such a united show of solidarity from MNers.

To the girl who was raped: I believe you, and you did not 'deserve it'. Please ignore all the hateful stuff around at the moment.

To the powers that be in football: By giving awards to rapists you are dragging your 'beautiful game' through the mire and exposing it for what it really is: a bunch of men making lots of money and behaving worse than animals. Shame on you!

I believe her, as did our judicial system

I have also signed the petition

I believe her.

First tweets were %23ibelieveher so maybe stick with that?

Most are saying "I believe her" on this thread.

#webelieveyou and #ibelieveyou were from the rape campaign

I believe her.

I tweeted with #IBelieveHer and #WeBelieveYou since I think this case exemplifies exactly why we need a We Believe You Campaign

I believe her.

I believe her.

Ched Evans has had justice. I've reported the Facebook page as well - perhaps if it's reported enough times it will be taken down.

Superb OP.

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe you

The facebook page seems to be heavily modded and rational in its tone so I think it's unlikely it will be taken down I'm afraid. Certainly any posts disagreeing <whistles> are taken down immediately, which means there's no 'heated debate' going on. Calling for a retrial isn't illegal. Although calling for someone to be freed from jail just because their team 'needs them' should be, IMO.

Would someone mind telling me exactly what's happening? He raped her, she managed through some miracle to get him convicted and jailed. The fa are now giving him an award? And did the match applause thing happen?

I believe her x

Someone (Twofalls, I believe?) mentioned they saw my comment come and go as they were reading it.

This is the logic they were unwilling to let stand on their page:

^"People who have consumed alcohol may reach such a level
of drunkenness that they no longer have the capacity to
give consent. The courts recognise that this stage may be
reached well before they become unconscious." Section 2.6 of the Crown Prosecution Service guide to prosecuting rape. CCTV evidence and witness statements corroborate that Ched's victim was in such a state. I believe her.

What you are doing to an innocent woman is nothing short of a witch-hunt. 6 in every 1000 rapes ends up in a conviction for rape. You really think it's that easy to lie about rape, get it to court (something that relies on sufficient evidence) and get a conviction?

It's worth noting that your hate campaign against the victim will do nothing to help other rape victims. We already have a report rate for rapes of 10%. 90% of rapes go unreported. Do you really wish to drive that number up? Should victims just not report?

Every rapist is someone's son, brother, uncle; whatever other words you're throwing around Twitter this week under the vile #JusticeForChed tag. No one wants to believe that someone they love and care about is guilty of rape. But he was found guilty for good reason. To Ched's victim: I believe you.^

I believe her. Poor thing.

I believe her.

I believe you.

Maybe someone who knows how to set up facebook pages (its beyond me) should set an 'I believe her' page up where all the comments that are being deleated off his page can be posted. I expect it would very quickly get more likes than his page.

I'm on it, CafPow...

I believe you

Brilliant! Well done Frothy

And did the match applause thing happen?

NO.....

I believe you

DillyTante, if you're reading this, I hope you don't mind, but I've borrowed your "WeBelieveYou cross stitch from your blog.

Page is found Here

That's good. No need to applaud rapists.

SillyBeardyDaddyman posted a link about the match applause thing earlier:

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/04/28/bid-for-public-show-of-support-for-ched-evans-at-sheffield-united-falls-flat-91466-30861200/

Have liked the page Frothy.

Can someone activate that link please? I can't access it via my phone

This is the name of the page msrisotto.

I Believe Her! Supporting Ched Evan's victim

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/04/28/bid-for-public-show-of-support-for-ched-evans-at-sheffield-united-falls-flat-91466-30861200/

Have liked. Cheers frothy

Oops, sorry...

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-nnews/2012/04/28/bid-for-public-show-of-support-for-ched-evans-at-sheffield-united-falls-flat-91466-30861200/

Have liked and commented

Thanks, will wing my way over there

I believe her.

... and have also tweeted a link to the page from both my Twitter a/cs

i believe her

well done on the fb page frothy - keep reminding people.

here it is again:

https://www.facebook.com/IBelieveHer

Well done, Frothy.

I believe her.

I'm also shocked that the others were cleared and some idiots on Twitter sought fit to name her!

Yes, it was me frothy. Well done on the page, I will share.

I believe her and so did the jury.

Ched Evans is a rapist.

sadly, my brother has posted some tosh on my links, so I would like to apologise to anyone who reads it and thinks "why is Oracle "friends" with this tosser"?

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her.

Oracle apologies if you know this, but you can delete any posts others make on your page - just hover to the right hand side of the post and you'll see an X, press it to delete.

I don't want to read the horrid comments - can someone who has tell me whether they're accusing her of lying, or claiming that once she was incapable of consenting she was fair game?

Because "I believe her" as a slogan doesn't really deal with the latter. Would it be useful to have a hashtag of (something like) #toodrunktoconsent=rape ? I'm sure someone can put it better than that.

I believe her, too. Convictions are so rare for rape.

I'm sending the link to others.

I believe her.

i've had a bit of a run in with someone on someone else's facebook page today. they thought a link to an article on his conviction was a good place to demonise girls who have one night stands with footballers and say it's no wonder they think they are 'slags'

apologies to the mn'er whose facebook page it was on

The article sillybeardydaddyman linked to is very intersting. Here are some quotes from fans about the planned applause for the guilty footballer.

One fan wrote: “A minute’s applause for Ched is the most ridiculous idea anybody has ever come up with. He was found guilty.”

Another user wrote: “99% of our fans HAVE condemned any applause plans, and HAVE said they will not take part in them.”

Another said: “I’m choosing to put my faith in the vast majority of decent, fair minded Blades fans who will out-sing the ridiculous suggestion of applause and make the day about us.”

It does show that not all football fans are idiots and that the FA should know that decent fans do not support Evans and will think that nominating him for a prize is dispicable.

I have added my comments and shared on my own page. I hope the supporters of Ched Evans will see fit to remove their page as soon as it becomes apparent that the vast majority of people, both on-line & off DO NOT support a convicted rapist.

We believe her - and the court believed her - he has been found guilty

And glad to say the police have arrested 3 men in relation to this vile hate campaign

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/26/ched-evans-rape-twitter-investigation

If only some football fans thought more of their families than their football - Britain would be a much better country.

wilson, oh, its just a badly put case and shows him up as the utter fool that he is.

Sorry, most importantly I meant to say

I believe her and so did the police, the CPS and the Jury.

I believe her too.

I've been blocked by his sister on Twitter, because I called her out on her hate campaign against the victim.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I'm sickened by this hate-campaign against a rape victim.

I haven't read the whole thread, but,

My dh/ds were at a football match this weekend where the other player who was also accused but was aquitted played. (sorry I can't remember his name or which team it was,. But he received a very hostile reception from all the football fans, even though he has been found not guilty.

So I think that while there is a campaign happening here in support of Ched Evans, it is fairly obvious that it is a minority of people we're talking about and the majority are against not only Ched Evans, but also the other player who was there on the night..

ButterPecan, I think half the supporters of the campaign have blocked both of my accounts... I was quite proud of that achievement...

In all seriousness. This is such an important message to get out there.

I believe her.

I believe her.

That is good to hear, Wannabe.

I do wonder that the PFA are standing by their decision to honour him then. I suspect a poll taken now would give a different response.

I saw your post Frothy just before was deleted.

I've tweeted the link to the Ibelieve FB page and liked it.

I think the PFA really thought he would be acquitted (and why wouldn't they, that's what normally happens after all) so were very much caught on the hop.

I BELIEVE HER

another link to the facebook support page for anyone new to the thread

I believe her, and have liked Frothy's group/linked to this.

I believe her.

I believe her.

Absolutely, I believe her.

I believe her too. I saw on Twitter that some arsewipe suggested holding a candle lit vigil at the prison gates to show support and that he should be freed and given an MBE!

What gets me though is the girlfriend standing by him, supported by her parents. Not only is he a rapist he's a self confessed cheat. I despair!

Frothy - I've been blocked by other supporters too, as well as getting plenty of abuse back, but I don't care.

As you said, it's an important message to get out there, so I don't care if people are sending me verbal insults. They can insult away, I'm thick-skinned!

I believe her. And more importantly, the judge and jury believed her too, or he wouldn't have been found guilty. She has been through enough without having to deal with this too. Anyone harrassing her now should be prosecuted as the court found him guilty. Case closed.

I believe her.

An example of some of the idiocy displayed by one of his FEMALE fans:

"She's a joke! She'd of not gone to police if Ched or McDonald weren't footballers!!

If this was my daughter I'd of sat her down asking What had happened if she said 'DON'T KNOW,DON'T REMEMBER' I'd of not been going to police because I'd be like 'how yano its rape'!!

And I'd be very disappointed in her for getting 'in the so-called state' she seems to say she was in!

It makes you cringe when you have children yourself! To think J could go out when he's older and have a 1 night stand and that's classes as 'rape'....I'm going out with my kids if that's the case lmao!!

35 goals is not a performance of a rapist!!"

Where do you start? ........

pinkpyjamas, thats just dreadful. and sadly an attitude that is far too common.

What a very nasty and stupid piece of work, pinkpyjamas .

I believe her.

I also believe the FA to be totally irresponsible and sexist.

And good on OP for setting up this topic.

@pinky - that's so depressing.

So what, because he's a successful footballer, he can't be a rapist?

It's amazing how many people seem to think that unless someone fits their image of a rapist, they cannot be a rapist.

I'm ashamed to say, my husband's cousin is a convicted rapist (convicted of raping his [now ex-]wife), yet people in the family were saying, "but he's respectable and has a great job, people like him don't rape." Therefore, in their eyes, he's innocent.

pinkpyjamas i have changed my mind on the whole thing now after reading that quote.
If I had realised he was such a fabulous goalscorer then it would have been obvious that he has carte blanche to do whatever with whomever he wants. Perhaps the jury were unaware of his performance at work?
Honestly, some people make me despair. I really hope that the daughter of this woman never finds herself in a similar position, not least because her mother will blame her

I believe her

I wasn't there. I wasn't on the jury and didn't hear the evidence. And I honestly think it's best left up to the courts to decide. And in this case they have. That's my opinion.

I believe her.

I believe you

Like and shared - my first political statement in 5 years of facebooking!

I believe her.

I believe you

fantastic thread

that page on facebook supporting the rapist is making me rage-y

Interesting take on it here: http://edinburgheye.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/ched-evans-and-the-tuc/

Sorry, I do know how to link: edinburgheye.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/ched-evans-and-the-tuc/

Wow this thread is really powerful.

Just come back to it after posting yesterday and have tears running down my face.

I hope to God she gets to see it.

See? WE ALL BELIEVE YOU.

this girl was on video stumbling about and falling over outside the kebab shop where the guy found her and took her from. the hotel receptionist remembers her stumbling and slurring - clearly incapacitated. yet these people see him as innocent?

it's amazing how ignorant some people are. and to think any one of them could sit on a jury!

Link to a facebook support page for the girl here too.
I Believe her

I spent most of yesterday emailing about this. I received very few replies.

Angela smith MP told me she had tweeted about this only to be verbally abused.

Paul blomfield MP replied to my tweet basically denying there was any support from Sheffield united fans for Evans. Btw he is the mp for the area that Sheffield Uniteds stadium is situated. And apparently he is heavily involved with Sheffield united.

Anybody else feel like dropping him an email? I'll find his address

This is the email address:

paul.blomfield.mp@parliament.uk

Is there also some sponsorship - I read something about n-power and the PFA, but I'm not entirely understanding the connection?

SGM good link

We need to think about next steps after Mumsnet contact the FA, etc. One thing would be a model resolution to put through union branches and follow up on that link

How about Women's FA?

Are other feminist groups active on this? Couldn't find anything yesterday

Just an idea but can MNHQ put a link to this thread on their FB page?

(Also if anyone can be arsed to pm me and tell me how it works I'll give twitter a go)

I believe her

I believe her.

I beleive her.

I believe her.

I think she did an incredibly courageous thing in reporting this crime, and I am so sad for her that although she achieved the just about impossible and secured a conviction, it has been turned around on her and she has become the subject of the anger and disgust that should be aimed at Evans and his ilk.

Going to "like" that FB page.

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her.

Thanks Basil for starting the thread.
I believe her.

And I hope the people who outed her will also face justice.

I believe her.

I'm sickened by anyone who would seek to cast doubt on Evans' guilt.

The whole thing is disgusting and the more people that stand up for the victim and make their outrage at Evans and his cohorts clear, the better.

The F word have been talking about the case

www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/04/ched_evans_inte

I believe her.

I believe her. Have signed the petition that was linked to way back on the thread.

Glad MNHQ are talking to End Violence Against Women about how to deal wtih this.

Am being a FBK dunce, I have liked the FBK page in support of her, but dunno how to link so the relevant page shows up in my status - can anyone help?

edam if you copy the info in the address bar (the bit where the www. ect is) at the top of the page you want to share, and paste it into the status box on your FB wall it will share the link. Hope that makes sense.

I think it's unfortunate that the other accused wasn't convicted as well - that would have sent a very strong & very clear message to all the footballers who think with their dicks (& to their fans)

From an earlier post here:

"Nita Dowell, senior crown prosecutor in Wales, said: "Ched Evans took advantage of a vulnerable young woman who was in no fit state to consent to sexual activity.
"It is a myth that being vulnerable through alcohol consumption means that a victim is somehow responsible for being raped. The law is clear: being vulnerable through drink or drugs does not imply consent."

Why didn't that apply to Clayton McDonald too?

I realise that this is purely a feminist issue for some, but actually I wonder whether the PFA would be more likely to sit up and take notice if it became a wider issue, not just about rape, but about other crimes or perceived crimes within the game...

Yesterday for instance, the handshake between Chelsea and QPR players was abandoned because John Terry is currently awaiting trial for racially abusing another player (les Ferdinand is it?). Now, legally, Terry is still innocent until proven guilty, but that doesn't change the fact that his alleged victim has had to play against him while awaiting trial, that the handshake was cancelled, instead of Terry having been stood down for that game, or indeed suspended until such times as he has stood trial (as would have happened in any other workplace).

I do realise that some may think this sort of thing takes away from the particular case being discussed here, but actually, this seems to be an attitude that is applied across the board where footballers and any kind of crime is concerned. And one would hope that rape is something that is not going to be a regular occurrence, however other crimes added to that may well increase the instances of players essentially being rewarded/excused for their behavior while their victims are left to pick up the pieces.

While I do agree that a support campaign for this particular woman (or more to the point, a campaign against her rapist) is a good thing in the immediate, I also think that people are far more likely to sit up and take notice if this becomes about a bigger picture. iyswim.

I believe her

I would like to tweet #ibelieveher too. I have a twitter account but don't really understand it and so never use it - if I just log in and tweet that, will it matter? I'm sure I only have about 6 followers, so will it only be them that sees it or will it reach wider than that?

Sorry to hijack.

TwllBach - just that is fine. You will reach anyone that searches on that term.

I believe her.

If you log into twitter and tweet it will go to your 6 followers yes. But often if you follow other people's tweets they will follow yours too and retweet what you sent them.

I defintely believe her. It must have taken so much to take this case to court.

I believe her

that f word post is excellent.

Twllbach
If you use the hashtag then it will add to the other tweets about it. If enough people use it then it might even get "trending", ie show up in the list of topics people are talking about.

If we can get it trending, then more journalists will pick up on it as they watch the lists.

Thanks Makemine, seems so obvious when you put it like that! <headslap>

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her

Does everyone know about the FB page? I know it was linked earlier but please go over there too so we can up those numbers too!

Tweeting #IBelieveHer and sending on to my sleb followers

I believe her

She showed a lot of courage to report this.
Anyone who supports Ched Evans, I really don't know how they can live with themselves, do they not have sisters, wives, daughters, female friends, mothers or grandmothers? Because going by their frightening mindset, any vulnerable female, unable to give consent, is fair game, if you are a footballer.

Footballers are not above the law.

Rape is a crime.

Sex without consent is RAPE.

I believe her.

Facebook link again

memoo the F word thing is good - I was talking more about organised activities, e-mail MP's, write to papers etc?

I believe you.

I believe her
I believe her
I believe her

I believe her

Have tweeted #Ibelieveher as well x

i believe her, the comments by both men and women i've seen on some 'news' sites like yahoo have been absolutely horrifying. the consensus that being raped is a fair consequence of being inebriated..some comments with numerous 'likes' were utterly terrifying

I believe her too.

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her

I believe her. I've tweeted too. My heart goes out to her.

I believe her. I believe justice was done in terms of one of the accused being found guilty. The other, I have my own view on that, and suffice to say I can't really get my head around his aquittal.

I believe her

I believe her

I believe her

I believe her

Sorry if it's been linked to already, but there's a petition about this on change.org:

www.change.org/petitions/professional-footballers-association-drop-ched-evans-from-the-league-one-team-of-the-year-honours-list#

I believe too. Hope she has good support from those closest to her.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her.

So glad to see this still going. When I posted last night, I was a bit worried that I'd come back in the morning and find it had got lost.
Just hope that everyone who comes onto mumsnet today joins in cos that would be thousands.

I believe her - have liked the facebook page to show support.

I have tweeted #ibelieveher and then retweeted Mumsnets tweet. I hope she manages to see this so she can see that there are people out there who support her.

Ok, I've joined twitter.

Don't have any followers and am not following anybody.
What do I do now?

Also don't know what a hash/tag is.

Is it just putting # before it?

Can't understand why McDonald was aquitted either??? I believe you darling, you've been very brave x

I believe her.

I believe her
I have signed the petitions
Liked the support pages
Insulted the chad fan club

Now I just need to figure out how to use twitter……

I believe her

My - in the search box put in #ibelieveyou. A 'top posts' will come up - but scroll down to the bottom and click on the 'view all tweets' blue thing.

You will also be able to enter your own tweet in the tweet box on the left side of your screen.

Big article up here recently about the woman who has accused David Goodwillie of rape too. He wasn't prosecuted although his alleged victim was later awarded £11,000 after the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority ruled she had been attacked.

The abuse she is getting online is heartbreaking

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2012/04/29/sickening-online-abuse-against-david-goodwillie-rape-claim-girl-86908-23841501/

I believe her

Thank pan I shall get on it!

I've joined with my MN name is that right?

I believe her. And think she's awesome for standing so strong.

I've fb'ed for now, will tweet it too

I believe her

My "I believe her" on the retrial for Ched has lasted 9 minutes so far

My - you can if you wish to use your MN name - I don't as my followers/followings are v v boring workie things.

I believe her.

Have signed petition - hope that all here have seen it too.

Thank you for starting this thread.

< repeats I believe her > Thank you for that link , redlac- didn't know about that horrifying case .

Hope not inappropriate to mention this report , only charges rather than convictions so far obviously www.theargus.co.uk/news/9678714.Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_players_charged_over_sex_attack/

Think I've Tweeted it.

What do I do now? (sorry, thicko emoticon)

I just got called a sad tramp by someone on 'that fb page'. I'm all crying

click on your 'home' icon at the top of the page. (like a little house). That will show you your tweet if it went, or, you can click on 'tweets' on your home screen.

To 'follow' someone or MN for example, but their name in the search box and see what comes up. If you see something of interest, click on their name and a new box will appear - if you wish to 'follow' them, click where invited to.

I am now almost at my boundary of twitter knowledge.

I believe her and have tweeted too.

McMoonCup, you sound devastated...

I believe her.

I believe her 100%...

I follow what you are saying and my heart goes out to her and my head is fuming at these so called men and maybe even women who think they have the right to be arm chair jury...

But I don't believe in suggesting that all, if not most, football fans and players are as insensitive or even as stupid as these particular Haters or that sexism is as ripe as you say to produce rapists in football. A rapist is an individual, they sometimes work in more than one such as in some gang rape cases, these are also individuals that have joined together. The key word here is individual!! There are 10000000's of footballers and fans all individuals and not all rapists or people who back rape not all sexist or people who act on sexism.

I'm not stupid I know myself of many fans who would keep it 'men only' and we all know of the famous footballers who think the law is not there for them BUT this does not apply to ALL footballers and it certainly DOES NOT apply to all fans!! I am a season ticket holder, therefore I am a FAN. I am female and I am also a mother. I am very close to quite a few rape victims and I feel very strongly about helping rape victims get justice. I have many friends and family of both genders that have as strong feelings about the subject also and that are also FANS! I get very offended by generalisation in football and I know many footballers and fans feel the same way. Nobody has the right to judge anybody... this also applies to us, as football fans.

The news may report on footballers who get done for rape... but what about the rapists amongst other occupations?? What about teachers, bakers, builders, office workers, policemen? There will be cases in these occupations too but we don't often think of them! Just because these aren't as widely spread in the media as the rape cases against footballers doesn't mean they don't exist!! The media like to speculate against particular people BUT we need to remember... Not all rapists are footballers or football fans! AND NOT ALL FOOTBALLERS & FANS ARE RAPISTS!!!... This letter to mumsnet doesn't show this very well but it's not an individual case in the media... I completely understand the content and the cause but I think I'd consider penalisation of the general footballing public next time you start a campaign.

I really hope this girl finds peace and these people are convicted! This whole situation is wrong and I pray she gets the full justice she deserves.

I'm a football fan and I Believe Her xxx

I believe you.

Tis true Frothy, I'm all devastated. And now deleted

<does best sad tramp walk off>

I have given in and joined Twitter so that I could join you all and add my voice to tweet #Ibelieveher. I hope I got it right!

Poor McMooncup have a (((((hug)))))

I think I just followed someone, sorry

I've found MN and think I'm following them.

MyDog follow me, I'm luchinka. Don't have many followers though.

Have also now joined twitter & hopefully retweeted xxxxx

I posted on the retrial bollocks page but it lasted about 3 mins and I think I'm now banned as am unable to post again.

Good points ,MyLifeMySonMyWay < fellow football fan > but there are elements of club culture , both players and fans , which do condone / encourage misogynistic and expoitative behaviour , and which are different to other occupational groups / groups of hobbyists ... we need to fight that culture in appropriate ways

I assume you have all seen that this thread is in the Telegraph?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/9236106/We-believe-her-campaign-for-Ched-Evans-victim-after-vile-internet-abuse.html

sorry if this has been posted repeatedly - at work and haven't time to do anything other than say: I believe her.

Arse

here

I'm @MrsPricklepuss if anyone wants to follow me. i'm tweeting about this a lot. It must be working as someone is sending me sarky tweets

Lumpy I just came to post that It's wonderful.

MrsPricklepuss - I see 'Graham' is relying on 'not guilty until every person in the land says he is. And even then I'll reserve my judgement'.

I love, love, love that Telegraph piece. The juxtaposition of quotes from the supporters of Ched Evans and those from Mumsnet is hysterical - crappy text speak and appalling spelling side-by-side with intelligent and articulate posts from MNetters!

no one is saying all footballers or football fans are rapists.

just that ched evans is one and that the FA has a bloody lousy record of rapey culture. it has a duty to stop this assumption by so many footballers, that they are entitled to sexually abuse women . They are not. No ifs or buts. The FA has an obligation to stop this, just as it has an obligation to ensure that black players and fans are not racially abused under its auspices.

so, I read he got 5 years, is he in jail?

I believe her.

Oh I'm glad I wasn't being hours behind the times. Am very impressed with the Torygraph. And with the OP and MN generally.

Poor girl. Bad enough that people aren't believed before it comes to court. For a conviction to actually be secured against those staggering odds and for them to still not be believed....<speechless>

he is HMP Altcourse on Merseyside.

I believe her.

Have posted on facebook and tweeted #Ibelieveher too

Pan -

Lumpy that's bloody fantastic!

Anyone can write to him there if they so wish to.

Yes, am tweeting #ibelieveher too.

It would be extremely encouraging if we could get it trending, and perhaps get some high profile support.

Sheffielf United should also be thinking carefully about ho they proceed, especailly given the message that most of their supporters are not minded to stick up for a convicted rapist (as evidence by the applause show of support falling flat). So far, to my knowledge they have issued a statement saying they are not going to rush into anything. Has anything else happened since then?

For comparison, when Lee Hughes was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, his then club West Bromwich Albion immediately terminated his contract. I concede that no-one has died in this case (Hughes' actions killed 2 people) but it was still right for the club to cut all ties with a player who had committed such an awful crime. What are Sheffield United going to do about Evans?

In a separate news story, BBC is reporting footballers from Brighton have been chargedwith rape and voyeurism.

Clearly they are presumed innocent until proven guilty. However it does add to the picture of a culture around football that is hostile to women.

Eighties I am pretty sure SUFC are contractually binded until any appeal is refused, or he is found guilty. Again.

Until then Evans could, I suspect sue for a breach of contract IF they terminated it now. Hughes wasn't making an appeal against conviction.

am just guessing.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her. Women don't need to conform to anyone's set of rules to qualify for the basic human right of deciding who (if anyone) gets to penetrate our bodies, how and when. Being human is all.

Amazing work Basil and everyone on this thread.

Interesting that the CPS have pursued a voyeurism charge in the Brighton case, perhaps as a fallback position having learned from this latest trial. Good thinking IMO.

Yep Edam, the whole culture is rapey and rotten.

It took the FA years to accept that it was their responsibility to uphold the safety and dignity of black players and fans; in the face of a racist culture, they couldn't just wash their hands of it and say it wasn't their problem. They had to make it clear, that they did not condone racism inside or outside the ground.

It's time they did the same about sexism. If they are not willing to, they need to explain the moral difference between racism and sexism and why they make strenuous efforts to combat one, while tacitly condoning the other

I believe her.

Been thinking about how to get this thread and its message better noticed. A few pages back there was a link to the TUC (from Scottishmummy I think), given that the PFA (named Evans in its league team of the year) are members of the TUc and the TUC are massive Labour party donors, would it be worth contacting prominent Labour MPs? It may get this trending on Twitter and nay force a re-think by the PFA? What do you think?
I don't do Twitter but if anyone follows any Labour MPs then do you think it would be worth a shot?

You may all be interested to know that the FA is on Twitter:

@thefadotcom

Just saying ...

Lee Hughes did kill somebody, but when he was released he went straight back to playing.

I believe her.

I believe her.

Oops acciently tweeted @thefadotcom

<Whistles>

I need to take tweeting lessons

acciently accidentally

<Whistles some more>

Tsk. You are a bad woman.

Ohhh, Puffin... That was careless...

I believe her.

The police believed her, the CPS believed her and so did a jury. I believe her.

Telegraph link again

here

Oh, and if you accidentally type a full-stop before you type someone's Twitter address, then the whole of Twitter will accidentally see your tweet.

Because I wouldn't want you all to make that mistake. Oh no.

I believe her, DH said he was embarrassed to be a male football fan- he also believes her.

I believe her.

.@thefadotcom Rapists are not role models #WeBelieveYou #IBelieveHer

<Naughty typing hand>

Just looked at the Torygraph link. Interesting that the support comments for the rapist at are 'Freinds r goin to mach n wk B showin.....' and the MN ones are actually written in English by grown ups.

If I we the rapists sister, I would keep my mouth shut.

If I had tweeted that is probably what I would have put

I believe her.

Fabulous OP Basil.

I believe her.

I believe her.

In case anyone's missed it

www.facebook.com/IBelieveHer

I have had a typing slip up a la ThisWeek I have also followed a few people that I assume are Mumsnetters, I hope no one minds

I'm sick and tired of living in a society where the disgusting behaviour of men and handmaidens is ignored by the rest of the population. Anything else I can do, I will.

I believe her.

You might also like to follow/tweet to @waatp (Who Ate All The Pies) which is a football supporters a/c, I believe.

I believe you.

DH believes you.

DD1, DD2, DD3, DS1, DS2 .....We all believe you.

We send you love.

If you are found guilty in a court for rape then you must suffer the consequences. There is too little thought or support given to the victim. Crime takes precedence over football. Human life is precious and victims need to be comforted knowing that many people's hearts go out to them for what they have sufferred.

I believe her.

I also believe that the other man, who was acquitted on what looks like tenuous and prejudiced grounds to me, is also guilty. I feel angry that a rapist is allowed to walk free. If she was too incapable to consent to Ched, surely it follows that she was incapable of consenting full stop?

Thank you for this thread, Basil. Will check out FB.

[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/04/30/we-believe-her-campaign-for-ched-evans-rape-victim_n_1464657.html?ref=uk The Huffington Post]] also have an article.

Try again - sorry.

I think what has shocked me the most is the amount of young women condoning the rape of another.
Comments like "who wouldn't want to end up in bed with Evans' %23ungrateful", etc.

WTAF.

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her, unfortunately there will always be those that don't, whether from mysogyny, ignorance or sheer bloodymindedness

I believe you xxx

I believe you.

I believe her

MNHQ have been very quiet since Justine posted this morning. I wonder how their discussions are going.

Great thread Basil. At the risk of sounding smarmy, it needed saying and you said it well.

I've been following all day but this is the first time I've had a chance to post.

That Telegraph article is great.

And last but not least, I believe you too.

I believe her

I believe you x

I believe her.

and..you can send the FA a direct message on twitter, on @thefadotcom

Thanks Justine, I for one really really appreciate you taking the issues that are important to us and using your position of power to do something.

I believe her.

She was unable to give her consent.

She was raped.

What's not to believe?

I believe her.

.... and as he plays for Wales @FAWales

I believe her

thanks BIWIW - sent message asking if they will 'ban' Evans from representing his country.

I believe her

Brilliant post, brilliant campaign.

Like the jury and the CPS, I believe her too.

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her and am sick to the stomach that ANYONE could blame her, the proven victim. Sick back to front society we live in at times.

If a jury believe her then I believe her - because we all know how difficult it is to get a conviction in a rape trial.

Agree grace - some of the comments on the telegraph article are sickmaking.

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her.

I believe you. And by standing up for yourself in the face of all the crap thrown at you, you are much more of a role model than any footballer.

I believe her

Could/should this thread have a sticky MNHQ?

Just read The Telegraph article. I am so bloomin' proud to be part of MN and this campaign. What a fantastic OP.

What is it that some people fail to understand about this conviction? A man went to a hotel room (having been summonsed by his friend) and had sex with a woman who was so intoxicated that she believed her drinks were spiked and she has no recollection of the incident.

It actually sickens me to the bottom of my stomach to know that there are people in this world who believe that to do that is their right. And also to know that there are people who support and condone this abhorrent behaviour. Because a man can kick a ball and score some goals this can never, ever mean that he has the God given right to rape and abuse whomever he chooses.

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her. xx

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her.

My DH has asked me to post to say he believes her

I believe her.

My 14 year old son has also asked me to post for him to say that he believes her and that although he is a huge football fan he is disgusted by this, even at his age he realises that she is the innocent victim so there is no excuse for grown men thinking otherwise

I believe her.

Apologies if this has already been posted. I just received an email re this petition:

www.change.org/petitions/professional-footballers-association-drop-ched-evans-from-the-league-one-team-of-the-year-honours-list

I believe her

What I don't understand is how many women are supporting him and the "campaign" for a retrail. It just beggers belief.

I believe her as well.

My whole family believe her.

I believe her.

I believe her

I am appalled by some of the things on the net, and how she's been treated.

I believe her.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2012/04/29/sickening-online-abuse-against-david-goodwillie-rape-claim-girl-86908-23841501/ another one I believe

I believe you

So who leaked her name? I hope she sues the buggers.

Whatever happened to the 'old school' football team management when the players were watched like hawks and got bollocked if they went out drinking and partying. Is it just that they now earn too much now and throw their toys out of their prams if they don't get their own way?

The 'beautiful' game is a joke now - racism, drugs, rape...

I believe her, what a powerful post OP. Well done for writing it

I believe her, because it's TRUE!!!!! Actually can't read all the comments because the whole thing just makes me feel SICK. It's actually unbelievable that they could have given this award at all, what's the matter with them??????

I believe her.
I believe you. I came back to MN after a looooong break to say this.

I believe her.

Think it was sky news who leaked her name

I believe her.

I believe her

I believe her.

What courage she showed in seeing through the judicial process.

Lets hope her ordeal ends soon.

I believe her