Thousands Join #iBelieveHer Rallies Around Ireland
Thousands of people taken to the streets in cities around Ireland today calling for changes to how the criminal justice system handles rape cases.
Loud chants of 'I stand with her' and 'We stand together' could be heard ringing out from the hundreds of people who gathered today at Dublin's Spire.
Huge rally at the Spire for #IBelieveHer ❤❤❤ pic.twitter.com/2hqIhr5TV4
— Brian O'Flynn (@brianoflynn_) March 29, 2018
Huge crowds at the Spire in Dublin now. #IBELIEVEHER pic.twitter.com/nksRoYXUqQ
— Susie Q (@SusieQmusic) March 29, 2018
Many were carrying placards bearing the #IBelieveHer hashtag that's been trending across social media since yesterday afternoon.
The largest crowds could be found in Dublin and Belfast.
Good crowd, still building, at the Belfast rally against rape trials failing victims. #IBelieveHer pic.twitter.com/PAORnyVYDV
— Julie Jamison (@Julie_Jamison) March 29, 2018
Gratified by the large number of people who assembled at the Belfast rally today.#IBelieveHer#IStillBelieveHer pic.twitter.com/npJ7DQiKMj
— Sharon (@sharonf) March 29, 2018
But hundreds of people gathered in Cork, Galway, Limerick and elsewhere in support of the movement.
Emotional but powerful demo in Cork in protest of the system that fails victims of sexual violence so utterly #IBelieveHer pic.twitter.com/zXNCWMkagX
— Fiona Ryan (@CllrFionaRyan) March 29, 2018
Speakers at the rallies called for changes to the criminal justice system that would make women feel more comfortable in bringing rape cases forward to authorities.
Please go along to #ibelieveher rally against rape culture, 12:30pm, The Spire, o'Connell Street, Dublin. Essential that we stand up against sexism, and culture where rape survivors are put on trial.#dubw
— Ruth Coppinger TD (@RuthCoppingerTD) March 28, 2018
If you've been affected by any of the issues concerned and would like to either contact, or donate, to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre then you can do so here.