November 23rd 2024.
Professional fighter Conor McGregor recently made headlines for his response to a tweet from fellow fighter Jake Paul. In the tweet, McGregor used a homophobic slur towards Paul, just hours after being found liable for assaulting a woman in a Dublin hotel six years ago. The court ordered McGregor to pay almost 250,000 euros in damages after a jury of eight women and four men reached their verdict.
During the two-week trial, the plaintiff Nikita Hand accused McGregor of sexually assaulting her, while another man, James Lawrence, also faced similar allegations. Hand's lawyer, John Gordon, stated that McGregor was angry about losing a fight in Las Vegas and took it out on his client. In his closing speech, Gordon called McGregor a "devious coward" and urged the jury to treat him as such.
In response to the verdict, McGregor expressed his disappointment and announced his plans to appeal. This news sparked a surge in calls to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, with the chief executive Rachel Morrogh reporting a 17% increase in calls and a 50% increase in first-time callers in the first 10 days of the trial. Morrogh also stated that media coverage of the case was having a profound effect on those seeking help from the center.
Paul, who recently defeated Mike Tyson in a highly publicized boxing match, questioned why he continues to receive negative attention, despite McGregor's and UFC president Dana White's controversial histories. McGregor quickly responded by calling Paul a "little gay nerd," but he later deleted the tweet, which was captured by other users.
This is not the first time McGregor has caused controversy on social media. Just a week prior, he deleted a tweet mocking boxer Prichard Colon. In response to the backlash, Rape Crisis provided information for those who have been victims of rape and are seeking help and support. They advise individuals to call 999 if they are still in danger, and the first step is to go somewhere safe.
For those who want to report their rape to the police, they can call 999 or the non-emergency line 101. Support from an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate is available throughout the reporting process, and individuals can withdraw from the criminal justice system at any time. It is also recommended not to wash or change clothes, as they may contain DNA evidence.
If someone does not wish to contact the police, Rape Crisis suggests speaking to a trusted individual or calling one of the many rape and sexual assault helplines in the UK. These helplines are available 24/7 and can be reached by calling 0808 500 2222 or starting an online chat.
For those who have been injured, it is best to seek medical treatment at the nearest A&E. If there are no injuries, individuals can go to their nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre. The NHS has information on where to find these centers.
It is important to note that there is no time limit for reporting historic cases of rape, and support is still available. Paul, who has a record of 11-1 in boxing, has been criticized for choosing mismatched opponents throughout his career. McGregor appeared to take this joke too far by making a crass comment about Colon, a boxer who suffered life-altering injuries after a fight in 2015.
Colon's story remains one of the biggest tragedies in the sport, and he continues to receive around-the-clock care for his injuries. McGregor's tasteless comment sparked outrage and highlighted the lasting impact of such incidents.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
