If you are seeing some photos of underwear with the hashtag #ThisIsNotConsent on social media then let us tell you they are the part of a protest. Yes, in Ireland women are sharing photos of their underwear on social media, after an advocate questioned a teenager’s choice of wearing underwear during a rape trial in Ireland.
During rape a case trial in Ireland, Irish MP Ruth Coppinger drew attention to the case in Parliament this week by holding up a lace G-string, she asked,
“It might seem embarrassing to show a pair of thongs here … how do you think a rape victim or a woman feels at the incongruous setting of her underwear being shown in a court?”
According to the reports, a 27-year-old man was acquitted of raping a 17-year-old girl in the case, after his barrister drew attention to the teen’s G-string during closing statements. The accused’s barrister stated that “You have to look at the way she was dressed. She was wearing a thong with a lace front,” blaming the victim for her choice of clothes. According to Ms Coppinger, this is not the first time underwear has been used as evidence within a rape trial in Ireland.
“We’ve seen recently clothes, fake tan, even contraception being used to discredit women who have the bravery to go to court.”
Accused’s barrister’s statement raged people and they started protesting across the country. Later, hundreds of people shouted, “clothes are not the consent” as they marched along the main street in Dublin, some waving G-strings in the air.
Crowd is chanting that 'clothes are not #consent': the sense of solidarity, belief and conviction for change is palpable. #ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/HFNs1C3c2V
— It Stops Now (@ItStopsNow_EU) November 14, 2018
One of the protestors said on the local radio that,
“I’ve never seen a pair of Y-fronts in court, I’ve never seen a pair of boxer shorts in court, and I’ve never heard that a man’s intentions have been judged on his underwear.”
Many posted photos of multiple pairs of underwear on the social media, saying none of them were an “invitation” to rape. Check them out:
Jurors in Cork were asked to consider the underwear a SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL was wearing when she was raped by a 27-year-old man.
Join the cause in solidarity, can’t believe this girl was subjected to these comments after such a traumatic event.#ThisIsNotConsent #Ibelieveher pic.twitter.com/PfkYERulgY
— Courtney Peterson (@_courtneymaria) November 13, 2018
Just beacuse my panties are cute doesn't mean i'm saying yes #ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/rakf2HXQNv
— Em (@lilthumper408) November 13, 2018
Counsel for man acquitted of rape suggested jurors should reflect on underwear worn by the 17yo complainant. Following this wholly unacceptable comment, we are calling on our followers to post a picture of their thongs/knickers to support her with the hashtag #ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/ZkVU0GVAIN
— I Believe Her – Ireland (@ibelieveher_ire) November 10, 2018
These are all mine, I wear them all. And I can wear them wherever and whenever I want to, it's not for anyone but ME. It's not an invitation.#ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/beS2gdsIm8
— Toan ❤️ (@ToanPlays) November 14, 2018