Attention continues to be solely focused on the verdict of the Belfast rape trial.
The final verdict came earlier today after jurors deliberated for three hours and 45 minutes and found Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding not guilty on all counts. Blane McIlroy was found not guilty of exposure and Rory Harrison found not guilty of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
Since news broke, many have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on the final verdict.
The hashtag #IBelieveHer quickly began trending number one in Ireland and many have started to turn their outrage into something productive.
Calls from the public to donate to rape support services have been coming in thick and fast on Twitter.
People who are on pay as you go contracts who probably don’t end up using their €20 credit at the end of the month, let’s do something useful with it ? #IBelieveHer pic.twitter.com/1r5f1ZfRhV
— keevs (@GhostlySpells) March 28, 2018
A small thing you can do today if you’re feeling as disillusioned as me: Donate to your local Rape Crisis Centre. They do incredible work. A list of all Irish centres here: https://t.co/uen6ZMocHM. You can donate to @DublinRCC here: https://t.co/oSYkN4eDvl #Ibelieveher
— Rachel Collins (@OrrCollins) March 28, 2018
Appalled and frustrated that I can’t do more, but it’s a start – text DRCC to 50300 to donate €2 to the Rape Crisis Centre #IBelieveHer pic.twitter.com/3Rh26gP38W
— Ailbhe Cooke (@ailbhecooke) March 28, 2018
We CAN make a difference & fight for change.
If you’ve any spare euros make a donation to @DublinRCC today here https://t.co/cmAvuPAy7B or text DRCC to 50300 to donate €2#IBelieveHer #TimesUp pic.twitter.com/jsr7hmZE7r
— Ciamhie Mc Digital (@CiamhieMc) March 28, 2018
Let us channel our outrage into something productive. Donate €2 to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre by texting DRCC to 50300; or donate what you can afford via the DRCC website: https://t.co/UH7IjzcY0w #Ibelieveher
— Cecily J. Lovegood (@CecilyLovegood) March 28, 2018
Feeling helpless? Donate to DRCC. Many women are feeling hopeless and silenced today, and need any help you can offer. #IBelieveHer https://t.co/rU8DmBU9Tg
— Katie Lynch (@katielynch_03) March 28, 2018
Feeling helpless? Donate to DRCC. Many women are feeling hopeless and silenced today, and need any help you can offer. #IBelieveHer https://t.co/rU8DmBU9Tg
— Katie Lynch (@katielynch_03) March 28, 2018
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre received 12,388 calls in 2016.
Over twelve thousand calls, in just one area of the country, in just one year.
Today might be a good day to help them help victims:
Text DRCC to 50300 to donate €2, or visit https://t.co/Y45onSUfHU#IBelieveHer— aoifseywoifs (@aoifseywoifs) March 28, 2018
This comes after Rape Crisis Network stressed that they will continue to provide support for victims of rape and sexual assault in the wake of the unanimous verdicts.
“If you are a victim of a sexual crime, please know that we have free specialists support available so that you never have to be alone,” they said on Twitter.
“If you choose to report, we will be with you every step of the way.”
If you are a victim of a sexual crime please know that we have free specialist support available so that you never have to be alone. If you choose to report we will be with you every step of the way – Court and Garda accompaniment services https://t.co/8NaZ5R62i3
— Rape Crisis Network (@RCNIreland) March 28, 2018
Women’s Aid Ireland also spoke out after the verdict was announced reminding victims that their 24-hour helpline is there for anyone who wishes to talk.
We listen. We BELIEVE. We support. For anyone who needs to talk, please call 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 or visit https://t.co/9sbAgoYuSE. pic.twitter.com/XxNozfsFeg
— Women’s Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) March 28, 2018
There are many people who may need to talk today. So we are sharing our colleagues at @DublinRCC 24hr Helpline 1800778888 and for those in the North of Ireland, the @DVSVhelpline is available on 0808 802 1414.
— Women’s Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) March 28, 2018
Nexus NI has also been sharing their support for victims, reminding those struggling of the numbers they can contact to get the help they need.
“Nexus NI respects the verdict of the jury in this trial, which has brought to light the complex nature of sexually violent crimes, and consent in particular,” they said in a statement.
“Talking about sexual violence is not easy. This difficult case has increased dialogue around sexual violence; we now need to ensure these conversations continue and that the necessary support is provided to victims.
“Victims should know they are not alone; they should not be afraid to come forward and seek help; and they should know that sexual violence is never their fault.”
We stand with victims of sexual violence and we and our colleagues @DVSVhelpline @DublinRCC and others are here. If you have been affected please know you aren’t alone. #breakthesilence
— NEXUS NI (@NEXUS_NI) March 28, 2018
To those sharing our details, sharing our message and donating, thank you. Sexual violence is never the victims fault. We stand with victims and are here to support them. Thank you for helping us do that #breakthesilence
— NEXUS NI (@NEXUS_NI) March 28, 2018
The jury returned its verdict shortly after midday on Wednesday.
Stuart Olding (25), from Ardenlee Street, has been found not guilty of rape.
Blane McIlory (25), of Royal Lodge Road, has been found not guilty of exposure.
Rory Harrison (25), from Manse Road, has been found not guilty of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the details of this story, you can contact:
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre: 1800 77 8888
Women’s Aid: 1800 341 900
Samaritans: 116 123/Text: 087 2609090/email: [email protected]
Pieta House: 1800 247 247
Nexus NI: Belfast – 028 9032 6803, Derry – 028 7126 0566
