NIKITA Hand stayed strong in her belief the truth must be told, it was claimed after the Dubliner won her rape civil action against Conor McGregor.
Calls to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre increased significantly during the case, which had attracted global media attention, it emerged tonight.
Nikita Hand said she can ‘now try and move on’[/caption]
Nikita Hand said ‘justice has been served’ in an emotional statement outside court[/caption]
Ms Hand lost her case against McGregor’s pal James Lawrence[/caption]
The jury awarded almost €250,000 in damages to hair colourist Nikita, who said she was “brutally” raped and “battered” by the mixed martial arts star in a Dublin hotel penthouse six years ago.
A second man, James Lawrence, of Rafter’s Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, did not assault Ms Hand, the jury found.
And courageous victim Nikita urged others to “speak up, you have a voice” after winning her civil action against the MMA fighter.
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre chief Rachel Morrogh said the case had a “profound effect” on the community of people they support.
She added: “This is a very positive verdict and a mark of belief in survivors around the country.
“The court has acknowledged the wrongs done to this brave woman and the acts of violence against her.
“Nikita had a right to live a life free of sexual violence, just like every other woman who has ever experienced it. It is important to victims and survivors and to the wider public that when that right is violated, justice is served in the way that it was today.
“In the face of great adversity, Nikita Hand held strong to her belief that the truth must be told and acknowledged in court.
“Today’s verdict will be met with relief by many survivors of sexual violence watching and listening closely to the narrative inside and outside the courtroom.
“Thankfully the jury found in favour of Nikita Hand. But this case and the public commentary around it has also thrown up questions about how some of Irish society views victims of sexual violence.”
She added: “It illustrates that there is still a culture of blame and judgement out there that has no place in a modern society.
“We need a greater awareness of how trauma affects people differently and accelerated action to change residual negative attitudes around sexual violence.
“It will take some time to analyse all the issues that have arisen for survivors as a result of this case but when we have, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre intends to bring forward a range of victim-centred recommendations.
“For now though, it is Nikita Hand’s day. All of us at Dublin Rape Crisis Centre wish her and her family the very best as they move on from this together.”
‘SEEK SUPPORT’
And Women’s Aid bosses said: “We are in awe of the determination & bravery of Nikita Hand as she endured the civil process to seek justice for the brutality she received at the hands of Conor McGregor.
“We hope that the verdict today gives Nikita a sense of vindication and will help her healing and recovery.
“We encourage any victim of domestic or sexual abuse to reach out and seek support from the Women’s Aid 24 hour National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 or to the National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 778888 and An Garda Síochána.”
Shamed McGregor, 36, who had denied all allegations, made no comment as he legged it from court following the jury’s ruling.
McGregor bowed his head and remained seated upon hearing the jury’s decision.
However, despite saying nothing as he left the court, the “disappointed” dad-of-four later vowed to appeal.
He posted on social media: “I will be appealing today’s decision.
“The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages.
“I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future.”
And in an emotional statement outside the High Court in Dublin, mum-of-one Nikita paid tribute to her family and daughter Freya.
And she declared: “I want to show Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is and justice will be served.”
Ms Hand also thanked her legal team, her family and the medics who looked after her.
Brave Nikita Hand thanked all who had supported her after the case came to its conclusion[/caption]
Ms Hand was awarded €248,603 in damages after the jury panel of eight women and four men found McGregor had assaulted her.
Speaking after the verdict, the mum admitted the trial had been a “nightmare” after sitting through eight days of evidence in the High Court.
But Ms Hand says she now feels “vindicated” and thanked everyone who has supported her.
Nikita said: “I would like to start off by saying I’m overwhelmed and touched by the support I have received from everybody.
“First, I want to thank the legal team and my three barristers, John Gordon, Ray Boland and Sean. They have been amazing from start to finish. I want to thank Mr Justice Alexander Owens, the jury, all the witnesses.
“I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone at the sexual assault treatment unit in the Rotunda Hospital for looking after me, especially my own doctor Frank Clarke.
“I want to thank the Rape Crisis Centre, especially Cliona, who has been by my side throughout this entire period.
“I want to thank all the guards and the ambulance crew.
“I want to thank all the women and men out there who have supported me throughout this trial.
“For every person who reached out to me — a card, a letter, e-mail, everything, it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Thank you. I appreciate it so much.
“I want to thank my partner Gary, who has been so supportive for the last four years and has held my hand throughout this trial every day and every other day.
“I want to thank my mam and all my family and friends.”
‘DAUGHTER GAVE ME STRENGTH’
She concluded: “Lastly, I want to thank my daughter Freya, who I’m most grateful for.
“She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice.
“I want to show Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself.
“To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up.
“You have a voice and keep on fighting for justice.
“I know this has impacted not only my life, my daughter’s, my family and friends tremendously, and it’s something that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.
“But now justice has been served, I can now try and move on and look forward to the future with my family and friends and daughter.”
HORROR BREAK-IN BEFORE CASE
By JOHN HAND, News and Crime Correspondent
MEN wearing balaclavas invaded Nikita Hand’s home, bursting into her bedroom and stabbing her partner before smashing windows as they fled, a court heard.
It was raised before the opening of Ms Hand’s case against Conor McGregor and co-defendant James Lawrence, who she claimed sexually assaulted and raped her in December 2018.
Mr Lawrence was found not to have assaulted her.
The legal argument can only be reported now the case has finished.
High Court Judge Alexander Owens ruled the evidence was irrelevant to the case and should not go before the jury.
Ms Hand’s lawyer John Gordon said the incident occurred on June 14 this year at her home in Drimnagh, Dublin.
It was argued that it was relevant in terms of the claims for damages as she had to remove herself from her home.
Mr Gordon told Judge Owens that men in balaclavas invaded her home on the date.
He said that they burst into her bedroom and that her then partner suffered stab wounds.
A call was made to the Gardai and the men fled, but smashed the front windows of the home.
Mr Gordon said: “We’re not laying that at the feet of the defendants.”
But he did allege it was not an “untargeted” attack and it arose from supporters of McGregor.
He stressed he was not saying McGregor or Lawrence had anything to do with it.
During the trial, the jurors heard that Ms Hand was making a claim for the costs of relocating and buying a house in a different area. But they were not told why this claim was being made.
A Garda statement at the time confirmed the incident on June 14.
