The Rape Crisis Network Ireland Tells Survivors Of Sexual Assault: “We Will Be There For You”

The Rape Crisis Network Ireland has stressed that they will always support survivors of rape and sexual assault in the light of the Belfast rugby rape trial result earlier today.

A jury found the four defendants – Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Blane McIlroy and Rory Harrison – not guilty on all charges.

Ireland and Ulster rugby players Jackson and Olding were found not guilty of raping a woman in 2016 – McIlroy was acquitted of a charge of exposure, while Harrison was found not guilty of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.

Speaking to reporters outside Belfast Crown Court, Olding said that while he did not commit a criminal offence on the night in question, he is sorry for the complainant’s perception of the events:

I regret deeply the events of that evening. I want to acknowledge that the complainant came to court and gave evidence about her perception of those events. I am sorry for the hurt that was caused to the complainant.

There has been a considerable backlash to the result online, with ‘solidarity rallies’ in support of the complainant organised in Dublin, Belfast and Limerick for tomorrow. The hashtag #IBelieveHer is currently the top trending topic on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/TaraFlynn/status/978964343864905728

The Rape Crisis Network Ireland tells STELLAR that the trial has had a ‘profound impact’ on survivors of sexual crime in Ireland.

“This case has been deeply troubling in particular for survivors witnessing the conduct of the case,” a spokesperson said. “This has been a protracted sexual crime case with considerable public attention stretching almost daily over almost two months. Many survivors are telling us they will never report.”

We want to say very clearly today to survivors of sexual crime that when you need us or are ready to talk about what happened to you, we in Rape Crisis Network Ireland will be there for you. We believe you, and we will support you.

The organisation has called attention to its free accompaniment service in which a member of their team will accompany survivors who wish to report a sexual assault, or even have a conversation with a Garda about reporting.

They advise any survivors who are interested in this service to contact them here.

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• rape crisis network ireland