"You are not alone, there are many others who have been where you are"

Nikita Hand has won her civil assault claim against Conor McGregor. Hand sued the MMA fighter for damages after accusing him of raping her in a hotel in Dublin in 2018.

She showed a level of courage and strength we can't even comprehend when she read her statement outside the court last night. There's no doubt that the women of Ireland are behind her, with thousands praising her resilience and bravery.

'I want to show Freya, and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is - and justice will be served'

Nikita Hand speaking after winning her case against Conor McGregor pic.twitter.com/ZgLP5EjGPe

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) November 22, 2024

Nikita Hand’s lawyer said she ‘will always be a marked woman because she stood up to Conor McGregor’. This case will impact not only Nikita but the women of Ireland too. 

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has noted a sizeable reaction from victims and survivors of sexual violence on both the 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline and from clients of the Centre’s therapy and counselling services. 

Not only has the public’s response to the case triggered some sexual assault victims with people using phrases like ‘she was asking for it’ and ‘what did she expect?’, but media reports have also caused many to relive their own trauma.

“Invasive details reported during the case and victim-blaming attitudes exposed during testimony and repeated on social media – typified in ‘asking for it’-style comments - have caused many of our clients to relive the trauma of their own experiences, with all the debilitating symptoms that entails,” the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said.

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre CEO Rachel Morrogh speaks to Her.ie

In an interview with Her.ie, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Rachel Morrogh said many victims of sexual violence feel like the response to the McGregor court case has shown how attitudes need to change.

Dublin Rape Crisis CEO Rachel Morrogh shared: “Clients and callers have told us they feel the case shows the negative attitudes and perceptions held by many in our society. The rampant, unavoidable chat and commentary online and in our homes and workplaces have made life very difficult for those with personal experience of the damage and trauma of sexual violence. 

Rachel added, “Some have even said they would now be reluctant to seek justice through the legal system for fear of such invasive reporting and adverse public reactions. For survivors who are still considering whether to tell anyone about their experience of sexual violence or to seek support from a service like Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, this kind of discourse must be very discouraging.”

"The case shows the negative attitudes and perceptions held by many in our society"

The team at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is urging victims of sexual violence to reach out for confidential support. Nobody should ever go through this alone and we need to use our voices to ensure victims know support is there if they’re ready to reach out for it.

Seeing Nikita Hand seek justice after the horrors she endured is incredibly reassuring and something that will give us the strength to keep fighting.

Rachel said, “The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre encourages anyone who has been harmed by sexual violence at any stage to reach out for confidential support. Our message is that you are not alone, there are many others who have been where you are, we will believe you and we will support you.”

“With 40% of people in Ireland – 52% of women, 28% of men – having experience of sexual violence, it is important to realise that someone you know is a survivor. How you speak about such issues matters to them and lets them know if they can trust and rely on you,” Rachel explained.

We need to watch our language when it comes to discussing cases like the McGregor and Nikita Hand’s. Phrases like ‘she was asking for it’ only make it harder for people to share their stories and get the support so vitally needed.

“Listen, don’t blame, don’t pressure them to take action – they must decide what to do. No one should have to face the trauma of sexual violence alone,” Rachel explained.

For those who wish to share their stories but to remain anonymous, DRCC’s We-Consent campaign has created a survivor story-sharing platform, WeSpeak.ie,  that allows people to share their stories safely and securely, in their own time. 

The 24-hour National Helpline 1800 778888 provides free, confidential, and non-judgmental support after sexual violence at any time.