Ellen Coyne: The backlash against Natasha O’Brien for speaking out shows our support for female victims is conditional

‘Some seem to be of the strong view that she’s too outspoken, or she’s enjoying the attention that has followed being brutally beaten a little bit too much’. Picture Don Moloney

Ellen Coyne

Public support for Natasha O’Brien came in like a wave, but then changed like the tide. The ebb revealed the harsh criteria that we force women victims of crime to meet before they’re deemed deserving of our compassion.

O’Brien, who was beaten unconscious by soldier Cathal Crotty, has had an intense two weeks since her attacker received a suspended sentence. The view of most people is that the only reason Crotty’s sentence attracted national attention for its perceived leniency is because of O’Brien’s tenacity. She spoke up and spoke out, and has now decided to adopt the cause of other women who believe their attackers benefitted from unduly lenient sentences.