Trinity College students support sexual violence survivors
Students at Trinity College Dublin recently displayed a banner to support survivors of sexual violence. The banner stated, "Shame is not enough - fear must change sides. It is rapists who should be made feel afraid." This action aimed to raise awareness among tourists during St. Patrick’s Day. The Students’ Union expressed that the banner was a response to high-profile cases, including Nikita Hand’s civil rape case against Conor McGregor, who visited the White House on March 17. They called for society to change how it views sexual violence and to protect survivors. The students criticized current legal protections for not focusing on survivors. They suggested banning the use of character references and counseling notes in cases of sexual violence. The message was clear: the focus should be on making rapists feel afraid, rather than the victims. The visit by McGregor to the White House drew backlash. Ruth Coppinger, a member of the Irish parliament, described the meeting as an "insult to the country." She criticized both McGregor and President Donald Trump, calling them "rapists" and urged for greater accountability. Carl O’Grady, owner of a whiskey brand, also spoke out against McGregor. He stated that McGregor does not represent the Irish people and expressed his disappointment in the MMA fighter. During the White House visit, McGregor criticized the Irish government for not addressing issues like illegal immigration. He claimed that there is a lack of action and accountability regarding problems affecting the Irish people.