The reason why Irish women are posting photos of their underwear online.

Irish women outraged by a lawyer’s comments during a rape trial are posting photos of their underwear as part of a campaign against victim-blaming.

In a court in the Irish city of Cork last week, the defence counsel for a 27-year-old man accused of raping a 17-year-old told jurors to consider the alleged victim’s underwear when making their final decision.

“Does the evidence out-rule the possibility that she was attracted to the defendant and was open to meeting someone and being with someone?” Elizabeth O’Connell SC told jurors, according to the Irish Examiner.

“You have to look at the way she was dressed. She was wearing a thong with a lace front.”

The man was subsequently found not guilty. And while we can’t know if the lawyer’s closing comments played any part in jurors’ decision, women of Ireland are outraged that she even chose to make them.

Members of a Facebook group called Mná na hÉireann (Women of Ireland) soon after launched a campaign, asking their followers to post photos of the underwear with the hashtag #ThisIsNotConsent. This gained further traction when the people behind the sexual assault survivors activist group I Believe Her endorsed the campaign on Twitter.

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

Women who also couldn’t believe blatant victim-blaming was still acceptable in Irish court, shared their incredulity and anger and posted photos of their own G-strings in support.

#ThisIsNotConsent

Just beacuse my panties are cute doesn’t mean i’m saying yes #ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/rakf2HXQNv

— Emily (@lilthumper408) November 13, 2018

On the back of that 17 year old girls rape trial in Cork. I believe you. #ThisIsNotConsent #ibelieveher

Please post your own and use the hashtag to get this going.#THISISNOTCONSENT pic.twitter.com/we10f88kav

— ObstreperousJess (@jessieheels) November 11, 2018

#ThisIsNotConsent During a rape trial in Cork Ireland the lawyer was able to bring the 17 year old panties in to consider as consent. The rapist got off. What we wear is not consent! pic.twitter.com/Usc09M1VnS

— Donna Reed (@happyhomemaker2) November 13, 2018

Jurors in Cork were asked to consider the underwear a SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL was wearing when she was raped by a 27-year-old man.

Join the cause in solidarity, can’t believe this girl was subjected to these comments after such a traumatic event.#ThisIsNotConsent #Ibelieveher pic.twitter.com/PfkYERulgY

— Courtney Peterson (@_courtneymaria) November 13, 2018

To bring a victims underwear into a rape trial as a reason for the rape is beyond despicable. #ThisIsNotConsent #IBelieveHer pic.twitter.com/wZPOqLEzLJ

— SarahCailleach (@Starlanna) November 11, 2018

I’m wearing a lace thong right now, does this make me promiscuous? Does this mean I am asking to be raped?? Absolutely not! Fuming this country is a joke #thisisnotconsent

— Orla Nolan (@orlanolan_97) November 12, 2018

wearing gross pants, nice pants or no pants: #ThisIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/FqSt0TEJI6

— Repealist [on Illness Hiatus] (@Repealist_) November 12, 2018

But the women (and men) of Ireland are not content with a Twitter campaign.

Activism group ROSA (for Reproductive rights, against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity) organised protests across the country for later this week.

There are nationwide protests taking place tomorrow at 1pm organised by Rosa. People are being asked to come out in support on their lunch breaks and wave their knickers and thongs under the hashtag #ThisIsNotConsent. @ibelieveher_ire will be there. We appreciate any support.

— I Believe Her – Ireland (@ibelieveher_ire) November 13, 2018

A petition was also created by a woman named Michelle Leonard, who called for Ireland’s Department of Justice to end victim-blaming in courtrooms.

“Women are being re-traumatised by the actions of solicitors in the Irish Courts,” she wrote.

“We must not allow this language to be used in our courts and allow suggestion and assumptions to rule the outcome of a case like this.”

And it seems that some members of the government are listening.

In Irish parliament (Dáil Éireann) MP Ruth Coppinger held up a pair of her own underwear to highlight the trial this week.

“Why is nothing yet being done to stop the routine use of rape myths in trials, and how concerned is this Government about the chilling effect this is having on victims coming forward?” Coppinger said.

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

Protests will take place in Galway, Limerick, Dublin and Cork.