The Jian Ghomeshi verdict: ‘A disappointing day for survivors’
Today, Judge William Horkins delivered his verdict in the sexual assault case of former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi: not guilty of all charges.
In his ruling, Horkins stated, “it is impossible for the Court to have sufficient faith in the reliability or sincerity of these complainants. Put simply, the volume of serious deficiencies in the evidence leaves the Court with a reasonable doubt.”
Jennifer Drummond, coordinator of Concordia’s Sexual Assault Resource Centre, says she’s not surprised by the judge’s verdict, but that it was difficult to hear.
“It's a really disappointing day for survivors, their friends and families, and the people that support them and advocate for them. The positive thing is that a dialogue has started in a way that hasn't really happened in the past.”
Drummond says that, because the case was so high-profile, it’s brought the broader conversation around sexual assault — how it’s reported, and how it’s prosecuted in this country — into the public domain.
“It has spurred discussions about what kind of changes are needed in the justice system. How can we better support survivors who are going through that process, and what changes need to be made to reduce the barriers for people coming forward?”
On the other hand, Drummond says, the not-guilty verdict may discourage a lot of people from pressing charges, or even just seeking support from a sexual assault centre, a counsellor, or friends and family.
“Overall, this kind of verdict, it's so unfortunate because there are so many people watching who might be survivors themselves, who are going to be emotionally affected by this,” she says. “Maybe they'll look at this and say it's not worth it, and the reality is that I might not be believed and that I'll be shamed and I'll be blamed for what happened to me.”
The way that survivors are treated in the courts needs to change, she insists, arguing that too much emphasis is placed on the behaviours and actions of survivors or victims before and after the alleged incident.
"Their credibility was questioned," she says. “It brings up myths about survivors, and that there is such a thing as a ‘perfect’ survivor. There isn't one. There isn't one narrative that is more credible than another one.”
In June, Ghomeshi will go on trial again on an additional charge of sexual assault, stemming from an alleged incident in the workplace in 2008.
This afternoon, SARC is hosting an interactive presentation on bystander intervention with Julie Lalonde, manager of draw-the-line.ca, a campaign that aims to end sexual violence by engaging bystanders.
Participants will discuss consent, safe partying and how bystanders can intervene in risky situations. The presentation runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Room H-763 of the Henry F. Hall Building (1455 De Maisonneuve W.).
