Response to awarding of damages to Nikita Hand in civil action against Conor McGregor

22 November 2024

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Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh, said: “Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is exceptionally proud to stand with the courageous and determined Nikita Hand in her pursuit of justice.

"This is a very positive verdict and a mark of belief in survivors around the country. The court has acknowledged the wrongs done to this brave woman and the acts of violence against her. Nikita had a right to live a life free of sexual violence, just like every other woman who has ever experienced it. It is important to victims and survivors and to the wider public that when that right is violated, justice is served in the way that it was today.

“In the face of great adversity, Nikita Hand held strong to her belief that the truth must be told and acknowledged in court. Today’s verdict will be met with relief by many survivors of sexual violence watching and listening closely to the narrative inside and outside the courtroom.

“Thankfully the jury found in favour of Nikita Hand. But this case and the public commentary around it has also thrown up questions about how some of Irish society views victims of sexual violence.  It illustrates that there is still a culture of blame and judgement out there that has no place in a modern society. We need a greater awareness of how trauma affects people differently and accelerated action to change residual negative attitudes around sexual violence.

“Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has seen the profound effect the case has had on the community of people we support. Over the first 10 days of the trial, calls to the National Rape Crisis Helpline increased by almost 20%, with first-time callers increasing by 50% compared to the same period last year. These calls were largely from people who had experienced sexual violence themselves and who expressed distress and anxiety around details of the case and the views of people around them.

“Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has heard from people who say they have witnessed an increase in negative victim-blaming attitudes over the last 2 weeks. Given the epidemic of sexual violence that exists in Ireland and that over half of women will experience some form of it in their lifetime, those attitudes have been picked up by a considerable number of people directly affected by this issue.

“It will take some time to analyse all the issues that have arisen for survivors as a result of this case but when we have, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre intends to bring forward a range of victim-centred recommendations.

"For now though, it is Nikita Hand’s day. All of us at Dublin Rape Crisis Centre wish her and her family the very best as they move on from this together.”

 

ENDS.

Notes for editors:   

  1. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is a non-governmental, voluntary organisation which has as its mission to prevent the harm and heal the trauma of rape. It offers a suite of services to victims/survivors of sexual violence. It also offers a wide range of training and education to professionals, front line workers and organisations.
  2. DRCC operates the 24-hour National Helpline 1800 778888 to support anyone affected by sexual violence in any part of the country. A webchat support service is available online at drcc.ie Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm.
  • A Helpline Interpreting Service is available for those who do not speak English - more at https://bit.ly/DRCClang
    • For those contacting the Helpline who are deaf or hard of hearing, we provide a text service, operating Mon-Fri from 8am to 6:30pm, at 086-8238443
    • We also have a webchat service available Monday-Friday, 10am to 5pm, and midnight to 3am Mondays and Tuesdays, except holidays.
  1. Other DRCC services and work:
    • Information on your options after sexual violence is available for free online at any time at drcc.ie/fyw in the Finding Your Way after Sexual Violence guide.
    • DRCC offers counselling & therapy to adult survivors of sexual violence and to older adolescents from 16 years of age with parental/guardian consent.
    • DRCC provides accompaniment support for the Rotunda Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, to court or to Garda stations to people in Dublin and in surrounding areas, by arrangement.
    • We-Consent is a new long-term national programme to inform, educate and engage with all members of our society about consent. More information and resources on having consent conversations at https://www.we-consent.ie/
    • DRCC has satellite centres at Coolock, Dóchas Women’s Centre, Balbriggan & Tallaght. Access to these services must be arranged via the National Helpline 1800 778888 during working hours, Mon-Fri.
  2. We ask that when reporting on this topic, journalists should remember that discussions on sexual violence can trigger personal trauma in those receiving the information. Where possible, please make reference to the National 24-hour Helpline 1800 77 88 88 for anyone who may be affected by the discussion.