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THE MOTHER OF Dara Quigley has called for the introduction of strong legislation in the area of online harassment and abuse, two years after the journalist and activist died by suicide.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) will bring the case of Dara before the Oireachtas Justice Committee this morning, and her mother Aileen Malone has backed the submission being made by the ICCL before the committee.
The campaign group will today make calls to TDs and Senators for legislation on image-based sexual violence, known as revenge porn.
Malone said such legislation is “needed urgently to protect all vulnerable people, their families and friends, and to reduce the cruel behaviour of a minority that can be shared and spread rapidly online causing widespread hurt and devastating consequences”.
Dara had been walking naked on a Dublin street and CCTV footage of her arrest was uploaded to WhatsApp and subsequently to Facebook where it was viewed over 100,000 times.
She took her own life a number of days later.
As well as being known as a journalist, Dara Quigley was a prominent anti-water charge and anti-austerity activist.
Her mother Aileen added: “Dara used the power of social media but was also damaged through it. She believed in the power of free speech and the democratic process. It is right that her voice – through this submission by the ICCL – is being heard.”
ICCL submission
In its submission to the Oireachtas committee, the ICCL said that it takes issue with the term revenge porn because “it isn’t pornography, it’s abuse”.
“Image-based sexual abuse is widespread,” it said. “Perpetrators include former/current intimate partners, acquaintances, and/or anonymous trolls.
Diverse experiences can range from chilling effects to online participation with peers, withdrawal from public spaces, job loss and loss of economic opportunity, widespread online and offline harassment, and significant mental health impacts.
Referencing the Dara Quigley case, the ICCL said that accountability for the use of the recording of her on the street and the effect it had on her mental health “remains elusive”.
“No individual or organisation has been held responsible,” it said.
This is in part because of an inadequate legal framework around the use and abuse of sexualised imagery without consent, a lack of transparency around individual company standards on moderation content and removal, and a culture of online harassment that mirrors real world ills.
The ICCL claimed that an absence of legislation in this area means that “perpetrators often go unpunished and victims are left without protection or justice”.
It calls for specific laws to be implemented to criminalise image-based sexual abuse and ensure accessible civil remedies for online harassment, including restitution and compensation.
The ICCL will appear before the Oireachtas Justice Committee from 9am this morning.
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At no point in the article is there a mention of life being tough for the residents of the flat complex so I’m not sure what “snuffbox” is going on about!!!
The few pictures shown here are great. I wish her the best of luck with the exhibition.
Snuffbox what a judgemental ignorant comment to make about the photographer. This woman has a great eye for capturing life and sharing it with a wider audience, best of luck in her exhibition.
Snuffbox, what are you on about? The pictures are from loads of different people that live and lived in the flats over the years not just the photographers family. Best of luck to her for organizing this exhibition, maybe it will inspire others to remember where they came from.
So what! Lifes just as tough everywhere else these days.she took a few photos just cause her granny was from there.
Hi Snuffbox, I refer you to Vanessa’s comment below,
Thanks, Susan, Editor.
like one of the unbelievables once said. “no matter where you go on holidays you never have to pack a bollix because your always sure to find one”
Love those pictures. Love when an artist/photographer ties in history and life, interesting to see that although we are sixty years on the kids are still the same. I am sure not much has changed in the flat complex either.
I am from Pearse house and it was great to see a lot off people coming in and meeting people that they have not seen in years and I met people that worked with my dad telling all the old stories what they got up two thanks well done xxx
Was a great experience for my mam and myself was great to c people who knew me as a child and knew her and chat and remember old times
Wish I was able to go and visit the flats as my Dad was born and raised in 5b Pearse house
His name was Godfrey ( Golly ) Coffey. my Granny Brigid lived there until she died age 83. I have many happy memories of visiting Grannys and meeting my uncle Vincent and my cousin Brigid who often stayed at my grannys house. Ive lived in Australia a long time now but go back frequently . My sister Barbara is visiting Dublin in August this year so she will make an effort to visit the recreated flat and record some pics for me .
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