Jenny Hermoso was not the victim that she wanted to be – we must be grateful to her for that

The important thing in issuing the referee of Luis Rubiales is not whether he will go to prison, or the number of thousands of euros that he will have to pay to compensate Jenny Hermoso, football player who won the World Cup before him without approval while monitoring the world.

The important thing is that it represents an end to the escape of this strong man who thought he was above the law.

The ruling on Rubiales provides a reminder that the law is, and it should be the same for everyone.

Many will remember Hermoso for being the “person before him”, instead of having the national team for women in Spain. As an iconic player, he scored more goals for her country than any other woman in history and played a vital role outside the field, too, in turning women’s football in Spain.

The star, who helped at the age of 33, until the end of her career, win the Women’s World Cup.

She was insulted in front of the world of viewing by Rubiales when the former president of the Football Association in Spain accepted her after she delivered the World Cup winner on August 20, 2023. She will have to live with that forever.

“Since that day, my life has been in preparation,” Hermoso said during her testimony in the trial of Rubiales at the Supreme Court in Spain in Madrid in early February.

Rubiales deprived her of the best day of her life and took her freedom.

The trial lasted for two weeks. The judge gave his ruling in less than one.

Rubiales, 47, was convicted of sexual assault, but he and the other three co-managers-former coach of women Jorge Felda, former Newcastle United striker and former sports director Albert Locke and former Marketing Director Robin Rivera-were acquitted of coercion. The prosecution claimed that they forced Hermoso to agree with the Rubiales version of the events. They denied any violations.

In the reasons for the ruling, the judge gave complete credibility to Hermoso’s certificate. The court statement said: “There was no reason or motive for it to be not sincere in its narration of the facts with the only purpose of harming Rubiales.”

Rubiales was fined with more than 10,000 euros (8,289 pounds, $ 11,400), and the ruling issued by the Supreme Court in Spain was banned from going 200 meters from Hermoso and communicating with it for one year. He was also ordered to pay an additional 3000 euros for the ethical damage and half the legal costs of Hermoso.

In 2022, the legislation was approved in Spain, referred to as “Si Es Si Si Si (” Just Yes, I mean yes “), sexual approval must be positive through actions that” clearly express the will of the person “and that it cannot be assumed. By default or by silence.

The new law no longer distinguishes between “abuse” or “sexual assault”, but it distinguishes between a wide range of crimes by proving that violence or intimidation is not necessary to commit sexual assault. This means a new collection of sentences that are now moved from four to 12 years, while it was before it ranged from six to 12 years.

Although some of them criticized by some because it means that the sentences that were already presented will be reviewed and reduced, the feminist organizations that have been consulted before Athlete He said what the victim often needs for someone to believe, instead of a larger or less.

On Thursday, the judge’s ruling was equivalent to “I believe you” to Hermoso – in the most general settings, broadcasting and broadcasting around the world. Rubiales has not been sent to prison, but the important thing for Hermoso is that she can finally feel that people believe her.

The trial is left with many things to think about it, one of which is the repetition of the victim in the court. When Hermoso interrogated, the defense attorneys focused on the player’s behavior after Rubiales sexually assaulted her. They wanted the perfect victim, who refused to celebrate the World Cup because of what happened. He who could not laugh or cannot celebrate. They wanted a victim who cried in the corner for something that was not wrong.

In her testimony to the judge on the first day of the trial, Hermoso was impressive. She explained herself that she is the strong person, anyone who met her or followed her career, knows that she, and she filmed an incomplete victim, and certainly in the eyes of the defense lawyer. She was a victim, despite what happened, she could enjoy her professional success-that she and her teammates were crowned the world champion.

Hermoso did not wander in front of her aggressor in court. She had the option to testify without Rubiales in the courtroom, but she said no. She sat meters away from her striker to present her statement and answer questions from his lawyer, Olga Tubao. She even kept her focus and kept cold on the multiple occasions that Rubiales was whispering and hanging during her talk.

Hermoso told the court: “I should not cry in a room or throw myself on the ground when the act happens that I did not like (the qiblah),” Hermoso told the court. “At that moment, when I celebrate the hero of the world, drinking alcohol and eating, I am happy and smile because it is the greatest achievement I can get in my life.”

Society often searches for the perfect victim, a person who behaves the way everyone wants to act. The aggressor may make mistakes, as it is a human being. But the victim must act as a victim or will be distorted publicly.

If this trial teaches us that sexual assault on women can be sexually assaulted, as she wants after that and still is considered a victim, we must be grateful forever for Jenny Hermoso on that.

The courage she has shown will help these victims who follow.

(Higher Image: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)