Ulster Rugby Rape Trial - Not guilty to all charges

[Quimby]

Verdict just returned
Not guilty to all four accused, all unanimous decisions.

[DisturblinglyOrangeScrambleEgg]

Bloody hell.

[Freshlylaidterf]

Just as you think womens voices are being heard with the warboys news , now this.

[DisturblinglyOrangeScrambleEgg]

I'm fed up of this idea that women walk around naturally consenting and we have to prove that we didn't (which, despite that not officially being the case, is the practical effect of rape laws).

So women are raped, and the rapists go free because it's better that women fear being raped than men fear being accused of rape. How is that civilised?

I would like a card, that I can carry, that I can wear as a badge, clearly stating that I don not consent to any sexual contact with anyone, so that it's clearly, obviously rape if someone has sex with me and I report them.

That way, there's no confusion. If it wasn't rape, I won't be reporting you, so you have no problem. It's about time Men took on some responsibility for this.

[Westworld]

Absolutely disgraceful.
What an awful country to have to raise daughters in.
I knew from the start they would get off.

[ellaoldie]

Very very surprised.
I"ve been following this case and the woman's account seemed very convincing to me.

[Collidascope]

Well, that's a crash back to earth after the John Worboys decision. Poor, poor woman, going through all that.

[MayFayner]

The jury were told to "draw a distinction between consent and submission" and this is the result.

Well. I believe her.

[Justanotherzombie]

We simply don't know. The only thing we're sure of is that these lads were/are jerks.

[rockshandy]

If she should ever read this...

I believe you.

[anneoneill]

Remember you are discussing innocent men before you go committing libel here, folks. Unless you have very deep pockets.

[sleepyhead]

I believe her. But her first instinct was the right one unfortunately - there was little hope of a conviction.

Revolting, revolting men.

[DramaAlpaca]

I believe her.

[sleepyhead]

I know what kind of men they are from the words out of their own mouths, from the words in the messages they sent to each other. By their own behaviour after the event.

It may not have amounted to enough for a criminal conviction, but I see them. I know what they are and how they treat women.

[rockshandy]

We are discussing a case in which the jury had to believe beyond ALL reasonable doubt that they were guilty if they were to find them guilty.

The jury had a doubt, and so they did the correct thing and found them not guilty.

I have no problem understanding that, and accepting that, and it is possible for me to accept that while also believing her.

[treaclesoda]

I feel sick. Physically sick.

And the rape apologists on Twitter want her hung drawn and quartered.

[Balonder]

I am horrified. I have just watched my 7yo DD go outside to play and I have realised that I don't know how to teach her that society values her, that the law can't protect her

[rockshandy]

YY treaclesoda. The comments on facebook have left me feeling ill.

[Sailorjerrycherry]

And people wonder why women are so reluctant to report rapes.

Heartbreaking.

[sleepyhead]

I couldn't, in all honesty, ever encourage a woman to report a rape. It's just not worth it.

[Snowqueeny75]

Me too treacle

[TheVeryThing]

I feel sick too, it so deeply depressing that women have minimal protection from rape under the legal system.

[fia101]

Are any of us surprised with the verdict? Really?

[pallisers]

I'm not surprised at the acquittal

I would do anything I could to stop my daughters reporting a rape.

[Vickxy]

Not surprised at all sadly. I hope shes ok, and I believe her, for all thats worth.