Respect the verdict and move on...?
Given the recent dialogue among the people of Northern Ireland surrounding the “ulster rugby rape trial”. I want to put across my view and opinion. OH NO a woman with views and opinions and using brains and shit... but wait, stay with me. In cinema there’s a notion of the male gaze- quick description: The perspective of a notionally typical heterosexual man considered as embodied in the audience or intended audience for films and other visual media, characterized by a tendency to objectify or sexualize women. I found it interesting because I don’t think it is just confined in cinema, I believe it’s an everyday life thing. We are all ruled by the male gaze- law, written by men in favour of men. I mean rape was under the crime of theft in the 60s and rape within marriage wasn’t a crime until 1993 (because a heterosexual marriage meant unlimited pussy). Women still aren’t protected in society, we’re closing refuge centres for women suffering from domestic violence, therefore forcing them to stay in an abusive relationship. Last year within Northern Ireland there were over 20000 reported cases of domestic abuse. Northern Ireland has the strictest laws in Europe surrounding bodily autonomy forcing 9 women everyday to travel for an abortion. And now apparently we blame women when they are victims of sexual abuse. It’s a great little island isn’t it... This case reminded me how we are not moving fast enough towards equality. Leaving out the guilty/not guilty argument out of this. It’s the way she was treated that infuriates me. Most victims who go through the court of justice say it’s not worth the scrutiny. It seems victims of sexual assault are put through more humiliation, trauma and cross examination than the accused. Her lacy underwear was passed through the court, as a way to prove that she was asking for it. I didn’t realise I woke up and the clocks went back a couple of centuries and landed in Salem for the witch trials. If this is seen as legitimate evidence, why can’t the rugby players ‘tighty whities’ be passed around too? We need to change laws when it comes to sexual violence. This toxic system is purposely put in place to put women below men. The evidence needs to be investigated differently to any other crime because it is almost impossible to prove rape under how the system structures these cases. I mean it’s extremely rare to have cctv footage, or witnesses or even proof that there was no consent. The system in place does not consider these things, as a result women are systematically vulnerable. I’m not sure how things can change in law but I’m hoping that teaching children consent, like the cup of tea video made by the independent- it’s floating around Facebook, will be introduced until they leave education. Real life sex should be taught in high school and university. Scientific take on sex is good but not enough. I remember I was taught about periods, and having babies and boys were taught about how ejaculation is good for them. That automatically gives them the upper hand. Women are at their disposal. We can not sit back, turn our heads or joke about rape. Men, I think I can speak for the majority in saying, I don’t find “locker room talk” or “boys will be boys” attitude the slightest bit witty or humorous. You guys need to start correcting each other, take a stand against the constant sexual objectification of women. I’m telling you that is what a girl wants, we’re not as crazy and complex like people say. Ladies, we mustn’t be afraid of offending men by saying there is problem with their defined gender roles. It’s not personal it’s FACT! Basically what I’m trying to say without ranting (too much) is that, just because people are saying we need to respect the verdict does not mean that we have to respect the laws that allowed for that verdict to be given. Things have been legal that we now know and deem to be inherently and morally wrong. Obviously it took a reckoning for us to change for the better so why can’t this be our call for change now. I am so proud of Ireland for taking to the streets and raising these issues on women. It’s about time we fight back as a collective. Yah yah sisterhood! (Men are also apart of the sisterhood if they want to be)... will I ever be able to voice concern without sounding like a advert with terms and conditions!?
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