QR Opinion Piece: The State of Rape in Northern Ireland
In the wake of several high profile rape and sexual assault cases being brought to Northern Irish courts, the majority of which have resulted in the acquittal of the defendants, it's now time to ask what is going so terribly wrong both within the legal system and wider society.
Regardless of individual cases and their details, there is an undeniable systemic failure when less than 10% of rape cases deliver a guilty verdict. With figures like these, we can hardly expect the #metoo and #ibelieveher movements to be enough to encourage victims to come forward, only to be subjected to a trial in which their character is called into question, and their encounter with the accused relived in harrowing detail.
Speaking to demonstrators outside the Laganside Courts today following the Reclaim The Night rally, frustration at the current system is palpable. "Victims are victimised all over again. It's very hard for them on the stand, to have to relive that. With the media coverage and social media, they're under attack. It's a downright disgrace," says Caroline, referencing misogynistic slurs directed toward those who do come forward. "There needs to be more done to support and protect women."
Cheylene adds, "There needs to be some sort of reform in the laws. It's ridiculous that we have no protection here. Lad culture and toxic masculinity are rife, and it's so scary. I'm so lucky that I'm surrounded by people who aren't like that, but it scares me to death [that it's like that] if you go outside that circle."
With a lot of outrage being directed toward the jurors, it's important to note that a huge concern is the way in which evidence can be presented and considered; the way in which the system currently works often gives an incomplete picture of the cases that do make it to court. "The jury aren't allowed to consider all the evidence, so there could be evidence that was very key that wasn't allowed to be considered, and that's not their fault," says Olivia, a law student.
"The problem is, and what people don't understand is that this trial couldn't have gone any other way. When you have so many people giving conflicting statements, you can't be found guilty beyond reasonable doubt, because there is doubt there - of course there is," she continues, referencing yesterday's acquittal of Paddy Jackson et al.
More than a single case, this is about a wider overarching societal failure. This is about believing women and victims, the 890 who reported their attacks in 2016; about creating an environment in which the rest can come forward, and about reforming the system so that when they do, victims are not failed. Summing up the message sent out by the courts with every mishandled case, she says, "It's more of a problem with rape culture in general- that it's okay if this happens to you, even if you do everything right."
Support for victims of rape and sexual assault
Nexus NI
02890326803
02871260566
The Rowan
08003894424
By Addison Paterson