Read on Twitter
THREAD
1/10
Louisa Westropp was born in 1858 into an aristocratic family, the Whiteheads. In 1886, following a marriage characterised by constant #domesticviolence, Louisa sued her husband for #divorce on the grounds of cruelty.
#IrishWomenInHistory #NollaigNamBan
1/10
Louisa Westropp was born in 1858 into an aristocratic family, the Whiteheads. In 1886, following a marriage characterised by constant #domesticviolence, Louisa sued her husband for #divorce on the grounds of cruelty.
#IrishWomenInHistory #NollaigNamBan
2/10
Before #Irish independence, cruelty was, in theory, legal grounds for divorce, but as #men were considered to have the right to physically chastise their wives, & as #women had few rights (including the right to custody of their own children) it was almost never cited.
Before #Irish independence, cruelty was, in theory, legal grounds for divorce, but as #men were considered to have the right to physically chastise their wives, & as #women had few rights (including the right to custody of their own children) it was almost never cited.
3/10
Louisa's case against her husband was the first time an #Irish #woman sued her husband on grounds of cruelty, & it set legal precedent. The #courts heard that he was so violent she often spent the night in a cupboard to hide from him, & that he spat in her face for fun.
Louisa's case against her husband was the first time an #Irish #woman sued her husband on grounds of cruelty, & it set legal precedent. The #courts heard that he was so violent she often spent the night in a cupboard to hide from him, & that he spat in her face for fun.
4/10
The court ruled that it was not reasonable to expect Louisa to remain with her husband when she could not stay safe with him, & she was granted a divorce.
Terrible as things were for Louisa, they were much worse for women from less wealthy backgrounds. #IrishWomenInHistory
The court ruled that it was not reasonable to expect Louisa to remain with her husband when she could not stay safe with him, & she was granted a divorce.
Terrible as things were for Louisa, they were much worse for women from less wealthy backgrounds. #IrishWomenInHistory
5/10
At least she could afford to pay a divorce #lawyer, & knew that she would be financially solvent after #divorce. For many #women, staying with a violent, abusive spouse was their only option.
#LegalTwitter #IrishWomenInHistory #NollaigNamBan #LegalHistory #IrishLaw
At least she could afford to pay a divorce #lawyer, & knew that she would be financially solvent after #divorce. For many #women, staying with a violent, abusive spouse was their only option.
#LegalTwitter #IrishWomenInHistory #NollaigNamBan #LegalHistory #IrishLaw
6/10
#Women in #Ireland could not obtain barring orders on the basis of #domesticviolence until 1976, & there was no divorce in independent Ireland until 1996. For decades, domestic violence, including #rape within #marriage, was effectively legal. #IrishWomenInHistory
#Women in #Ireland could not obtain barring orders on the basis of #domesticviolence until 1976, & there was no divorce in independent Ireland until 1996. For decades, domestic violence, including #rape within #marriage, was effectively legal. #IrishWomenInHistory
7/10
While both #women and #men can be violent & abusive to their spouses, women are significantly more vulnerable to physical abuse, because they are typically smaller & less strong than their husbands.
#IrishWomenInHistory #NollaigNamBan #Nollaig #Christmas
#NewYear2021
While both #women and #men can be violent & abusive to their spouses, women are significantly more vulnerable to physical abuse, because they are typically smaller & less strong than their husbands.
#IrishWomenInHistory #NollaigNamBan #Nollaig #Christmas
#NewYear2021
8/10
#Women are also often especially vulnerable to physical abuse when they are pregnant, or caring for small children; as men do not get #pregnant, this is a vulnerability particular to #females.
#IrishWomenInHistory #NollaigNamBan
#Women are also often especially vulnerable to physical abuse when they are pregnant, or caring for small children; as men do not get #pregnant, this is a vulnerability particular to #females.
#IrishWomenInHistory #NollaigNamBan
9/10
While women today have many more rights than they did in Louisa's time, #domesticviolence remains a significant problem in #Ireland today. Hopefully, one day #women will no longer need the shelters from domestic violence that are still so crucial. #IrishWomenInHistory
While women today have many more rights than they did in Louisa's time, #domesticviolence remains a significant problem in #Ireland today. Hopefully, one day #women will no longer need the shelters from domestic violence that are still so crucial. #IrishWomenInHistory
10/10
Louisa was a pioneer in her time, and thousands of women have fought for women's rights in marriage over the years that followed.
Text SAFE to 50300 to donate €4 to @SAFEIreland working to make Ireland safer for #women & #children.
#Irishwomeninhistory #NollaignamBan
Louisa was a pioneer in her time, and thousands of women have fought for women's rights in marriage over the years that followed.
Text SAFE to 50300 to donate €4 to @SAFEIreland working to make Ireland safer for #women & #children.
#Irishwomeninhistory #NollaignamBan
