To be absolutely heartbroken for the girl who's thong was used against her in a rape case

[easielouisie]

Incase you haven't seen it:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46207304

Its been a long day and I'm very tired but I am so completely heartbroken for this girl and feel so hopeless for us ever getting anywhere, it's like one step forwards ten steps back.

I've just got in and am sobbing for her, how can a female solicitor turn on a young potential rape victim and dangle a thong for the duty to ponder if she was asking for it. I'm horrified this is remotely accepted no wonder girls don't want to come forward its humiliation at its finest.

A similar thing happened years ago and a young girl had to read out the slogan "little devil" from the thong she wore when she was raped. She killed herself following the trial.

AIBU to feel like we'll never get anywhere and people will always be disgusting? I wouldn't be responsible for my actions if I met that woman.

Just hurts my heart how cruel life is sometimes

It's heartbreaking.
However, I am not surprised.

Obviously

Imagine asking a man: so Brian, when you're down the pub with the lads tonight, what do you wear to reduce the risk of rape? That shirt’s a bit sexy, Brian. Those jeans alittle clingy on the buttock. Are you sure you’re not asking g to be raped by someone larger and stronger than you?

Poor lass. What a world we live in 🤬

I don't get the barristers viewpoint. Yes she wanted to win her case, but at what point do you park your morals completely? For most decent people this would be: never (unless a loved ones life is in danger) so how does this barrister get away with being such a proudly morally bankrupt character?

Some people deserve to never have a good nights sleep again.

Nice bit of racism you've slung in there funinthesun18

This case is heartbreaking but the UK has the exact same issues with prosecuting rape cases.

Relatively recently, it was believed there was no such thing as rape within a marriage. The world has moved on and rightly so. It is perfectly acceptable to consent to sex, then change your mind during - any continuation of sex after consent has been withdrawn then becomes rape. So what the hell whatever underwear was it wasn't worn that day or any day is totally irrelevant. I am disgusted. It takes huge strength to report and attend court for something like this. They used to use "evidence" of promiscuity to cast doubt over the credibility of the witness. Now that's been addressed, it's her knickers. FFS. I don't know if he's guilty or she made it all up - her pants have fuck all to do with it

Does that barrister have children? I really hope not, how could she look them in the eye? She has to have known that was an appalling thing to do. I don't accept that she had a job to do so it was understandable. The whole system - the judge that did not shut that crap down straight away - the very fact that we are still - STILL - fighting this battle makes me feel sick. To have even gotten as far as court was already a major step, to have it end for her like this, I have no words. I hope she is getting support and will find some way to deal with this. As for the creature that thought pushing a young woman down in the mud and doing whatever he wanted was okay - I hope it damn well falls off.

So here's the message to girls - it is ALWAYS your fault. And to boys? So long as she is wearing ANYTHING AT ALL that can be seen as 'asking for it' it's all good.

Somerville I didn’t mean for it to be racist.
I mentioned nothing to do with race!

I am at a loss, that poor kid, 17 years of age, it is just beyond comprehension ! Sick, sick, sick.

The barrister was a female too, what a piece of shit for a human being, I hope the outcome of this case is a complete review of how rape cases are tried.

At least, the general population in Ireland are outraged, calls for the barrister to be sacked or resign, and lots of protests being organised.

My heart breaks for this teenager and her family.

How ridiculous and frankly terrifying that awful things like rape can be justified by the type of underwear we choose to put on in the morning!

I assume she had clothes on at some point so surely he only found out about the "asking for it" knickers after he'd begun attacking her.

Disgusting.

There was a similar case in Scotland a few years ago. After her thong was held up in court the young girl went home and killed herself . Clearly no lessons learned .

Irish people aren't a different race anyway, what you meant was xenophobia. HTH.

fearnot I don’t agree. And I’m a lawyer.

It should not be permissible for what victims are wearing to be questioned or used as evidence in this manner.

It is utterly wrong and when you think about, not legally relevant at all in terms of consent

Yanbu

At all, in the slightest

A,lawyers job is to defend her client.

How can/do defend a beast. When she said 'NO' She meant 'NO'. What the fuck has a thing got to do with it.
So basically if you're not wearing your old grey washed out knickers with holes on them. That's the green light for a women to be raped

May that defense lawyer never rest easily. He/She has got a lot to answer for. A hell of a lot. Disgusting.

That's so heartbreaking, Old.
I'm sat in tears here.

Its no wonder so many women are terrified to come forward.

Shocked and disgusted. I thought we had started to move on from scenes like that in our courtrooms. Shame on all those involved on the defence and prosecution sides, and the bench. It should have been stopped as soon as the barrister's intentions became clear.

Irish people aren't a different race anyway, what you meant was xenophobia. HTH.

You are wrong.
The Equality Act of 2010:

Racism means discrimination because of your race, which means your colour, or your nationality (including your citizenship). It can also mean your ethnic or national origins.

But really, when you're having to argue that a point is only xenophobic and not racist then, seriously, stop and listen to yourself.

Sorry for slight derail, OP. This is a serious matter. English & Welsh and Irish law are so interlinked that the same issues pervade both of them and I wanted to collect the fallacy that this kind of thing only happens in backwards old Ireland or is because the Irish hate women.

It is beyond depressing.

Do the jury not need a hard kick up the hooter somewhere a long the line.
The obviously took her "pathetic evidence" into account " and acquitted this beast.

I read about this at the beginning of the week and was left in complete disbelief. I couldn't believe in this day and age a pair of knickers would be part of the evidence and held up in court
I am hoping there is enough outrage to bring about change but I fear it won't happen and this story will soon be forgotten until next time.