#ThisIsNotConsent: Women share photos of underwear to protest use of girl’s thong in rape trial

Apart from the #ThisIsNotConsent protest on social media, the protest against the verdict also reached Ireland's parliament, where Ruth Coppinger, who is a member of the Dail for Dublin West also produced a blue thong during a debate to protest the way the rape trial was conducted.

Many women on social media sites shared images of their underwear on Twitter with the hashtag #thisisnotconsent./ Image: Twitter

NEW DELHI: Women around the world are outraged and are showing their support on social media sites to a rape victim whose alleged perpetrator was acquitted in an Irish court after her thong was used as an evidence in a rape case. It is reported that in the Irish court, a defence lawyer had used an alleged rape victim's choice of underwear to argue that the teenage girl had consented to sex. The 27-year-old man was found not guilty of raping the teen shortly afterwards. Many women on social media sites shared images of their underwear on Twitter and the hashtag #thisisnotconsent. The Telegraph reported that Elizabeth O’Connell, the defence counsel, reportedly told jurors: “Does the evidence out-rule the possibility that she was attracted to the defendant and was open to meeting someone and being with someone? You have to look at the way she was dressed. She was wearing a thong with a lace front.” The protest reached Ireland's parliament, where Ruth Coppinger, a member of the Dail for Dublin West also produced a blue thong during a debate to protest the way the rape trial was conducted.

I hear cameras cut away from me when I displayed this underwear in #Dáil. In courts victims can have their underwear passed around as evidence and it's within the rules, hence need to display in Dáil. Join protests tomorrow. In Dublin it's at Spire, 1pm.#dubw #ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/DvtaJL61qR

— Ruth Coppinger TD (@RuthCoppingerTD) November 13, 2018

#ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/TRekAMs4Ky

— karen starr (@KazzaStarr) November 15, 2018

#ThisIsNotConsent #IBelieveHer Either partner in a sexual encounter has the right to say no. At any point. AT ANY POINT. pic.twitter.com/JpP6nqvrWo

— absentmuse (@absentmuse) November 15, 2018

#ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/sX4T0tCTAt

— bëccä (@rebeccamcleanx) November 15, 2018

#ThisIsNotConsent Not license to assault. Liked Size 6 white bcuz everyday thong. Paired w/waist snatching corset gladly worn instead of @SPANX under bridesmaid dress. Ahh, freedom & glory! Didn't need slip & avoided pantyline. 2nd place? Blk w/matching bra! #thongon #MeToo pic.twitter.com/75SbQEgAnq

— Hear that? CHINwag. chin·wag /CHin waɡ/a chat (@lesleynmitchell) November 15, 2018

Three very different styles of underwear, that I wear. One is very large, another is cute & red, another is lacy... NONE of them are consent #ThisIsNotConsent I’m still baffled at what’s going on. A woman’s thongs do not rape her - a RAPIST does. pic.twitter.com/2lbQ5gLzAJ

— TAYLOR (@taylor_medford) November 15, 2018

Just because I like to wear cute underwear and feel good, does NOT mean I'm saying YES! #ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/WQJHSgaxMO

— Charlotte (@Chazzee93) November 15, 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

#ThisIsNotConsent via gabbievasquezinsta on Instagram pic.twitter.com/9FfNapxUo2

— tanja (@TanjaSagt) November 16, 2018

Clothes do not determin consent#ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/0TOY2Ocu0n

— Roberta Bellatreccia (@Bobba64Roberta) November 16, 2018

Outside the Bernard Shaw this morning. #thisisnotconsent pic.twitter.com/vJcdHdoWOg

— Elizabeth Mohen (@BethMohen) November 16, 2018

It was reported that almost 400 people also took on streets of Ireland and rallied against the verdict.