The ROSA Socialist Feminism is organising a march from Dublin's City Hall on Dame St to the DPP head office on Infirmary Road today, in support of Nikita Hand and other victims of gender-based sexual violence. The rally coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

This demonstration comes after a High Court jury awarded Nikita Hand €248,603 in damages after they found Conor McGregor liable for assaulting her in a Dublin Hotel in December 2018.

The rally is choosing to march to the DPP in protest of their choosing not to pursue Hand's case in a criminal court, "despite compelling medical evidence, CCTV footage, and Hand's testimony". ROSA demands that "the courts take survivors seriously."

The Rape Crisis Network Ireland is also urging retailers to stop selling Conor McGregor's stout and whisky, so as not to promote or align themselves with someone found liable for assault.

Slated to speak in solidarity with Ms Hand is Limerick feminist advocate Natasha O'Brien. O'Brien began to speak up against misogynistic violence after a serving soldier beat her unconscious on O'Connell Street in 2022.

The assaulter was given a three-year suspended sentence and was able to walk free from court in Limerick. In June, thousands rallied in support of O'Brien in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick. O'Brien became emblematic of women's struggle for legal protection from gender-based violence.

O'Brien asks on Instagram, "Are you outraged by the Irish Criminal Justice System turning their back on Nikita and forcing her to fight for justice alone?"

She encourages people to attend today's protest and "To demand better from the Irish justice system. This is not good enough... Survivors everywhere do not deserve to be ignored."

Among the many commending Hand's bravery was Green Party Councillor Hazel Chu.

"Apart from applauding her bravery and what she is doing for survivors of sexual violence and assault, one thing to note is that during the trial, the judge was very clear that when the defense was putting up the claim that 'she did not act like a victim of sexual violence'," she explained, speaking at a Green Party press conference in Dublin this morning.

"We need to start understanding that there is no way, one way or another, that someone who survives sexual assault should act. There shouldn't be that stigma upon survivors of sexual assault on how they should act, and we need to move away from that rhetoric and misinformation being pushed upon women."

The march with start at 6pm and spans from City hall to the DPP.

The National Rape Crisis Helpline is open 24 hours a day for people who have been affected by sexual violence. Tel: 1800 778888