Cockatrice wrote:Just so everyone knows the 5 demands that are being asked from those protesting at the next home game.....
Belfast Feminist Network added an event.
2 April at 19:13 ·
At our Belfast rally against rape trials failing victims last Thursday, we announced that this was the start of a movement to change how our criminal justice system deals with sexual assault crimes.
Following this, as the next step in this movement we will gather outside the Kingspan stadium on the 13th of April when Ulster Rugby has their next game.
We are gathering to put pressure on Ulster Rugby not to re-employ the accused in the Belfast rape trial considering their reprehesible and misogynistic attitudes towards women as indicated in their WhatsApp messages.
The misogyny in our society will not go unchallenged.
Most importantly, we will be reiterating our 5 demands and ask your support in spreading them far and wide:
1. Our criminal justice system is not fit for purpose when it comes to dealing with sexual crimes. Victims are re-traumatised and are treated like they are on trial. The system is designed to defend the rights of the accused with little regard for the victim.
2. The media reporting of rape trials is intrusive, salacious and biased towards undermining the victim’s testimony. It serves to increase the distress of victims and survivors of sexual abuse and rape. Cases should not be reported on until after the jury has given its verdict.
3. The criminal justice system’s treatment of the victim and media reporting of this trial will deter victims from coming forward and reporting in the future. The rampant culture of victim blaming and shaming needs addressed
4. We urgently need to have a compulsory comprehensive relationship and sexuality education programme in all schools which includes consent and toxic masculinity.
5. We need adequately resourced support services for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
We will announce a more specific location closer to the event.
Obviously the language is a bit overly dramatic but there's a lot in there that is reasonable enough.
I would suggest that neither of the accused Ulster players really have reprehensible ideas about women though.
1) The criminal justice system is not ideal for rape cases but the legal system is based on innocent until proven guilty. Are they suggesting the whole process gets turned on its head for a small number of offences?
2) Can they not see their hypocrisy when for the most part they were the ones doing most of the shouting the whole way through. I'm sure the lads would have loved a media ban too, or they wouldn't be having their protest! And I would add the words "of guilty" to the end of point 2.
3) Hmmmm. The system's treatment of those accused was hardly balanced and in general took the non-victim's side. They're still using the word victim too. But yup ban media reporting, incl social media and protests as well.
4) Fair enough, but in the interest of equality mention toxic feminism too.
5) Yup. The Rowan Centre was a big step forward. Maybe staff it with experts? It's not like the Health and Social Care budget is dripping with money. Obviously this issue means a lot to them, but perhaps ED services, cancer, psychiatric care etc might be important to them in future.
As before, some worthy aims, picking the wrong target.
I think UR staff could in general be quite reasonable with them maybe even allow people to come in and talk to players. But this confrontational approach is only going to get people's back up. I for one would be more likely to dig my heels in against this approach than someone who is prepared to engage. If they want to really make a difference they're going the wrong way about it, turning up at a match and planning on invading pitches is only gonna make them look like eejits not the Sufragettes I'm afraid.
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