Why female fans are protesting against sexual violence at the cricket

Scott Kuggeleijn’s participation in the ongoing T20I series between New Zealand and India is making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Spectators in Wellington and Eden Park have been holding up posters in protest pertaining to charges of rape that had been levelled against the Kiwi cricketer in the past.

According to ESPNCricinfo, one poster at Auckland’s Eden Park, where India pulled off a series-levelling seven-wicket victory on Friday, read “Wake up, NZ Cricket, #MeToo”, in reference to an ongoing movement against sexual harassment and consent.

Fans hold a sign at Eden Park referring to the Me Too movement. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

There was a similar placard held up at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Wednesday, where the first match of the series took place, which read, “No means no”.

However, it was controversially taken down by stadium officials, which invited a lot of criticism for New Zealand Cricket (NZC) in the aftermath, with the board even agreeing later that the move was unnecessary.

“We agree the course taken was an over-reaction and unnecessary, and the sign certainly wasn’t offensive,” NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.

Scott Kuggeleijn in action. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP/Getty Images)

The all-rounder, son of former Test cricketer Chris Kuggeleijn, had been charged with rape in 2015, with trials subsequently taking place in 2016 and 2017.

While the jury on the first occasion were left undecided on the matter, the second one, in a verdict on February 2017 at the Hamilton District Court, declared him not guilty.

Kuggeleijn had admitted that the victim had told him twice that she didn’t intend to have physical relations with him during the incident.

Fans have also been vocal on the issue on social media.




Via Yahoo Cricket