TWO Southampton women are hitting back in support of the British teenager who was found guilty of lying about being gang-raped in Ayia Napa.
Identical twins Lucy and Verity Nevitt, both 22, led a protest in London calling on the UK government to intervene in the case.
It took place the day before the British teenager was given a four-month suspended sentence at Famagusta District Court in Cyprus, by Judge Michalis Papathanasiou.
He told the 19-year-old he was giving her a “second chance” on Tuesday, following her withdrawal of a claim that she was raped in a hotel by Israeli youths in July.
The woman said Cypriot police made her falsely confess to lying about the incident, but the police have denied this.
Amongst women’s rights groups who protested ahead of the sentencing was The Gemini Project, a support group run by Lucy and Verity against sexual violence.
Around 200 protesters marched for justice with them from Cypriot Embassy, London, through to Parliament Square, on Monday.
SHAME! @thegeminiproj #boycottcyprus #bringherback #ayia_napa #cyprusrape #ibelieveher #boycottayianapa pic.twitter.com/3WQA8QlJT8
— discombobulated leprechaun (@normaburke) January 6, 2020
The two university students, who attend Goldsmiths University, started the project to campaign for change in the judicial system.
They want to decrease the “burden of proof” on sexual assault victims, take away the data and background checks on them, and remove juries from sexual violence cases.
Lucy, who studies psychology, said: “Our first demonstration just blew up, it was so incredibly humbling, therapeutic and empowering.
“It was our goal to help just one person. We have already done that so now, anyone else we help is just a bonus. Me and Verity campaign in our free time between studies - our family have been so supportive.
“We want the Crown Prosecution Service to use the same amount of proof as they need in other criminal cases, as they require ten percent more proof in sexual assault cases.”
She added: “We disagree with the need for juries, as rape culture means that many cases are dropped due to misconception. Not enough people understand the trauma involved in sexual assault. The whole process is so invasive.
“The fact the judge said he was giving the victim a “second chance” in the Ayia Napa case is decimating it, and we will continue to campaign against that.
“We want to see the charges dropped for the victim, to see justice and for the court to give a public apology.”
