Statement re costs award to Nikita Hand  

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre warmly welcomes the decision of Mr Justice Alex Owens  to award costs in favour of Nikita Hand arising from her civil action against Conor McGregor.

Chief Executive Rachel Morrogh said “This decision will reinforce the public’s belief that justice has been done in this case. Although for Nikita Hand, this case was always about the verdict, it was also important that both symbolically and financially, justice didn’t give with one hand and take away with the other.

“The costs awarded this afternoon underscore the significant consequences arising from Nikita Hand’s courage and her brave legal action.

“We in Dublin Rape Crisis Centre are so pleased for Nikita Hand and we thank her for holding the torch of justice high since 2018, despite efforts to extinguish it. We wish her continued healing and health as she rebuilds her life with her family.

“We also thank her for her  bravery in highlighting the issues that face victims and survivors of sexual violence.

“We hope that blaming, shaming and discrediting victims will become something of the past and that this trial marks a turning point where survivors can hope for a better experience through the court process.”

Anyone affected by sexual violence at any time can get free, confidential support on the 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 778888.

 

/ENDS

 

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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. Our accompaniment support is available to people who are considering making a statement to Gardai about a sexual offence, who are attending any court, trial or hearing process. It is also there for people who attend the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit following a rape or sexual assault. In 2023, DRCC provided accompaniment support to 286 people in the justice system, and supported 308 victims and 202 of their friends and family members at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. More on DRCC’s accompaniment service at https://www.drcc.ie/services/accompaniment/
3. 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.

4. 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.
   • 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.
5. 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.