Women are sharing pictures of their underwear on Twitter after a thong was used as evidence of implied consent in a rape trial, according to CNN.
On Nov. 6, a jury in Cork, Ireland, found a 27-year-old man was found not guilty of raping a 17-year-old. Defense lawyer Elizabeth O’Connell’s final statement where she said the teenager may have been “attracted to the defendant” and “open to meeting someone” did not sit well with women.
“You have to look at the way she was dressed,” O’Connell said, according to the Irish Examiner. “She was wearing a thong with a lace front.”
People on Twitter were enraged at the claim that the teen gave implied consent with her choice of underwear. Women around the world started posting pictures of their own underwear on Twitter with hashtag #ThisIsNotConsent to point out wearing a thong doesn’t equate to consensual sex.
Lacy but full or thong but not lacy,
— maireos (@maireos) November 13, 2018
need someone to tell me which is less rapey… #ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/jiA61qF7gB
https://twitter.com/lilthumper408/status/1062173392780984320
https://twitter.com/Starlanna/status/1061417111636135941
Susan Dillon, who started the hashtag and is part of campaign group I Believe Her, told BuzzFeed News that “clothing is not consent.”
“This kind of victim blaming is archaic and had no place in our court system,” Dillon added.
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
People also participated in real-life protests in Dublin, shouting “clothes are not consent” and holding up signs to show solidarity.
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
Protest in Dublin against victim blaming in the courts. Huge crowd for a lunchtime last minute protest. #consent #solidarity #ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/fJpdKpx5TT
— Kate O'Sullivan 🍉 (@KateOSully) November 14, 2018
READ MORE:
- A plain and simple guide to understanding consent
- The best self-care tips and ideas
- The importance of defining sexual harassment and sexual assault
H/T BuzzFeed News