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Canada urged to rethink approach to sexual assault after Ghomeshi acquittal Canada urged to rethink approach to sexual assault after Ghomeshi acquittal
(5 months later)
The acquittal of former radio star Jian Ghomeshi has prompted fresh calls for a sweeping overhaul of the way Canada deals with allegations of sexual violence.The acquittal of former radio star Jian Ghomeshi has prompted fresh calls for a sweeping overhaul of the way Canada deals with allegations of sexual violence.
In a ruling on Thursday, Judge William Horkins found Ghomeshi, 48, not guilty of four counts of sexual assault and one count of choking, arguing that prosecutors had failed to establish Ghomeshi’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.In a ruling on Thursday, Judge William Horkins found Ghomeshi, 48, not guilty of four counts of sexual assault and one count of choking, arguing that prosecutors had failed to establish Ghomeshi’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Related: Jian Ghomeshi verdict could have lasting impact on sexual assault victims
But the verdict prompted widespread outrage among women’s rights activists who said the case underlined the country’s chronic underreporting of sexual assaults and low conviction rates.But the verdict prompted widespread outrage among women’s rights activists who said the case underlined the country’s chronic underreporting of sexual assaults and low conviction rates.
Much of the anger has focused on the defence team’s strategy of undermining the testimony of the complainants by questioning their recall of traumatic events, and some campaigners have called for the creation of special sexual violence courts, with judges and prosecutors who have been trained in areas such as intimate abuse and trauma.Much of the anger has focused on the defence team’s strategy of undermining the testimony of the complainants by questioning their recall of traumatic events, and some campaigners have called for the creation of special sexual violence courts, with judges and prosecutors who have been trained in areas such as intimate abuse and trauma.
Speaking to the Guardian, the first complainant in the high-profile case called for sweeping reforms. “The whole system needs to be changed,” she said. “It can’t just be one person on the stand with a seasoned lawyer throwing darts at them.”Speaking to the Guardian, the first complainant in the high-profile case called for sweeping reforms. “The whole system needs to be changed,” she said. “It can’t just be one person on the stand with a seasoned lawyer throwing darts at them.”
The woman – whose identity continues to be protected by a publication ban – said Thursday’s decision left her livid.The woman – whose identity continues to be protected by a publication ban – said Thursday’s decision left her livid.
Some 15 months ago, she walked into a police station with allegations that Ghomeshi had – without warning – pulled her hair and punched her in the head. The act hurtled the mother of two into what she calls the toughest experience of her life.Some 15 months ago, she walked into a police station with allegations that Ghomeshi had – without warning – pulled her hair and punched her in the head. The act hurtled the mother of two into what she calls the toughest experience of her life.
The list of what she wished she had known from the outset is long, ranging from how her police statement would be used in court to the toll testifying would take on her nerves. “People tell you to just tell your story and that if you don’t remember, just say ‘I don’t know’. It’s not anything like that.”The list of what she wished she had known from the outset is long, ranging from how her police statement would be used in court to the toll testifying would take on her nerves. “People tell you to just tell your story and that if you don’t remember, just say ‘I don’t know’. It’s not anything like that.”
As the trial came to an end, the woman launched a website that she hopes will become a resource to counter the gaping lack of information available for survivors navigating the court system. Just one day after its launch, the website had already received some 5,000 visits.As the trial came to an end, the woman launched a website that she hopes will become a resource to counter the gaping lack of information available for survivors navigating the court system. Just one day after its launch, the website had already received some 5,000 visits.
The site is her antidote to the many who worry that the high-profile trial – and Thursday’s verdict – will discourage others from coming forward with their own stories.The site is her antidote to the many who worry that the high-profile trial – and Thursday’s verdict – will discourage others from coming forward with their own stories.
“I still think – as horrible as the system is – more people have to come forward. If everyone stays quiet, it is never going to change,” she said.“I still think – as horrible as the system is – more people have to come forward. If everyone stays quiet, it is never going to change,” she said.
In Thursday’s decision, Judge Horkins stressed the need to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.In Thursday’s decision, Judge Horkins stressed the need to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Even if you believe the accused is probably guilty or likely guilty, that is not sufficient,” he said. “In those circumstances you must give the benefit of the doubt to the accused and acquit because the Crown has failed to satisfy you of the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.”“Even if you believe the accused is probably guilty or likely guilty, that is not sufficient,” he said. “In those circumstances you must give the benefit of the doubt to the accused and acquit because the Crown has failed to satisfy you of the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.”
But figures from Statistics Canada suggest that for every 1,000 sexual assaults that happen in the country, only 33 are ever reported and just three result in convictions, said David Butt, a criminal lawyer who often works with sexual assault complainants. “I call that a statistically validated 99.7% failure rate.”But figures from Statistics Canada suggest that for every 1,000 sexual assaults that happen in the country, only 33 are ever reported and just three result in convictions, said David Butt, a criminal lawyer who often works with sexual assault complainants. “I call that a statistically validated 99.7% failure rate.”
In any other sector, a similar figure would elicit calls for an overhaul. “And yet we persistently cling to the myth that for sexual assault cases we’re somehow delivering justice,” said Butt.In any other sector, a similar figure would elicit calls for an overhaul. “And yet we persistently cling to the myth that for sexual assault cases we’re somehow delivering justice,” said Butt.
In the coming weeks, Butt will argue the necessity for reform to the Canadian Bar Association, highlighting alternative options for sexual assault complainants such as civil lawsuits, where the burden of proof is lower than the criminal justice system, or restorative justice.In the coming weeks, Butt will argue the necessity for reform to the Canadian Bar Association, highlighting alternative options for sexual assault complainants such as civil lawsuits, where the burden of proof is lower than the criminal justice system, or restorative justice.
Hours after Thursday’s verdict, another woman described an encounter with the former radio star which she said left her feeling “dirty & sad”.Hours after Thursday’s verdict, another woman described an encounter with the former radio star which she said left her feeling “dirty & sad”.
Actress Zoe Kazan said she met Ghomeshi in 2013 when she was interviewed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio host. “Before we went on air, he told me I was ‘just his type’. Funny, sexy, just the right amount of damage,” she wrote on Twitter on Thursday.Actress Zoe Kazan said she met Ghomeshi in 2013 when she was interviewed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio host. “Before we went on air, he told me I was ‘just his type’. Funny, sexy, just the right amount of damage,” she wrote on Twitter on Thursday.
Before we went on air, he told me I was "just his type." "Funny, sexy, just the right amount of damage," he said (after talking abt 3 mins).Before we went on air, he told me I was "just his type." "Funny, sexy, just the right amount of damage," he said (after talking abt 3 mins).
His comment, made in a professional setting and with others in the room, left her shaken. “Later he showed up at a party I was at & wdnt leave me alone. His unwanted attention made me feel like I’d ‘asked for it.’ I felt dirty & sad,” she tweeted.His comment, made in a professional setting and with others in the room, left her shaken. “Later he showed up at a party I was at & wdnt leave me alone. His unwanted attention made me feel like I’d ‘asked for it.’ I felt dirty & sad,” she tweeted.
Kazan said the verdict had left her shaking with rage.Kazan said the verdict had left her shaking with rage.
“I think of the way he made me feel, without ever laying a hand on me and I tremble with rage for the women who were denied justice today,” she wrote.“I think of the way he made me feel, without ever laying a hand on me and I tremble with rage for the women who were denied justice today,” she wrote.
She later added, “I thought it was just me when it happened I thought, what’s wrong with me? what did I do to make this person treat me like that?”She later added, “I thought it was just me when it happened I thought, what’s wrong with me? what did I do to make this person treat me like that?”
Kazan’s tweets prompted a response from author Kelly Oxford. “This is exactly how I felt after my interview with him in 2013. Exactly.”Kazan’s tweets prompted a response from author Kelly Oxford. “This is exactly how I felt after my interview with him in 2013. Exactly.”
Related: Jian Ghomeshi trial: why the prosecution's case fell apart
In 2014 more than 20 women and one man came forward with allegations they had been slapped, punched, bitten, choked or smothered by the man who was once one of the CBC’s brightest stars.In 2014 more than 20 women and one man came forward with allegations they had been slapped, punched, bitten, choked or smothered by the man who was once one of the CBC’s brightest stars.
Ghomeshi denied the accusations, and pleaded not guilty to four charges of sexual assault and another of choking to overcome resistance.Ghomeshi denied the accusations, and pleaded not guilty to four charges of sexual assault and another of choking to overcome resistance.
He now faces a second trial in June, stemming from allegations that he touched the buttocks of a former CBC employee and told her: “I want to hate-fuck you.”He now faces a second trial in June, stemming from allegations that he touched the buttocks of a former CBC employee and told her: “I want to hate-fuck you.”
His lawyers responded to Thursday’s verdict with a statement that said Ghomeshi had been rightly acquitted.His lawyers responded to Thursday’s verdict with a statement that said Ghomeshi had been rightly acquitted.
“Notwithstanding the unprecedented scrutiny and pressure, the case was determined on the evidence heard in a court of law. In our system of justice, that is what must happen in every case regardless of who is accused or what crime is alleged. That is precisely what occurred in this case,” read the statement from Henein Hutchison LLP.“Notwithstanding the unprecedented scrutiny and pressure, the case was determined on the evidence heard in a court of law. In our system of justice, that is what must happen in every case regardless of who is accused or what crime is alleged. That is precisely what occurred in this case,” read the statement from Henein Hutchison LLP.
It added: “This has been a very long, exhausting and devastating 16 months for Mr Ghomeshi. He will take time with his family and close friends to reflect and move forward from what can only be described as a profoundly difficult period in his life.”It added: “This has been a very long, exhausting and devastating 16 months for Mr Ghomeshi. He will take time with his family and close friends to reflect and move forward from what can only be described as a profoundly difficult period in his life.”