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I understand the need for protection for victims of sexual assault and the need for a safe space in the music community. I also understand that in the wake of the (disgusting) Ghomeshi trial verdict, that there is momentum for these women to be heard. I am in full favour of all of that.
I am not in favour of secret vigilante justice. I am not in favour of ‘blacklists’ that potentially ruin innocent peoples lives. There is a reason we have a justice system and don’t let vigilantes run amok. Because people will act based on hearsay and rumours, not on facts. I understand that the justice system thus far has not been satisfactory in the treatment of these cases. The response to this should be to work towards fixing our justice system so that these people are heard and respected. To open discussion, to act with actual justice.
Like many women, I too have been a target of sexual assault. I do not wish my perpetrators harm. And I certainly would not wish any of them to be submitted to any punishment without trial, or without knowledge of what they are accused of, by whom.
Can we please stop with all the secrecy, the back-stabbing, the blacklisting targeted musicians and just talk already? —The girl who “doesn’t even go here”
This article appears in Apr 14-20, 2016.
The justice system is far from perfect. It needs us to speak up about ways to improve it – but not to have parallel systems of vigilante justice. One thing I would like to see addressed is the disparity between the wealthy and the rest of us. In high profile cases the prosecution is often no match for team of lawyers the rich can muster. We need to find a way to level the playing field.
oh what the hell…
if you know they did something to you, if it’s a fact for you. then no amount of trial should make you want more or less punishment. that’s nuts. it’s okay to want harm to befall attackers. it does not make sense to not want them to be punished. it also is insane to say that sharing the information about potential attackers should be avoided in defense of the offenders. all information should be taken in with a grain of salt. but giving another (woman) a heads up that might keep her from getting hurt is just a practical thing to do.
Listen, just because you don’t want to exclude your abuser, doesn’t mean everyone feels comfy having the person who caused them harm in the same space as them. who would you rather spend your night with, the abuser or the abused? As for the “back stabbing”, do you really think other victims of abuse feel comfortable publically calling their abuser out? Do you not think it’s possible to still be afraid of their abuser? Maybe interacting with them causes the person severe mental and emotional stress. fuck abusers. If the justice system won’t weed them out, we need to do it ourselves. If that means your friend gets kicked out of a bar because someone feels u safe, too fucking bad. Re-evaluate who yours friends are.
The only “disgusting” part of the Ghomeshi trial were those women who lied, perjured and colluded. The best part was seeing the charges fail. Stop your lies and see how well the truth works in your favour.
yeah, I feel bad for women who are actually raped and have this trial in people’s minds.
i am shocked that the one woman involved and is now in the news for the publication ban, is insisting that lawyers be present for victims when giving a statement. Hmm…as if her credibility wasn’t already tarnished for perjury, demonstrably false testimony etc. So, a CA is effectively the victims lawyer. If you feel your CA handling your case is not performing to a necessary standard(which is available in pdf form) it behooves any victim to identify the reasons why in a letter addressed to a Chief Crown Attorney. How do I know this, a recent case I was a victim for I had this happen. CA was grossly incompetent and derelict in his duties and obligations for a victim. He was subsequently removed from my case and ordered to take retraining in some areas of Canadian law. As for giving testimony for a victim. truth can never be assailed. if something happened in an exact manner, then changing the story means you are free to be discounted on your testimony. time often changes people’s story. that’s why a defendent’s lawyer will always push to delay delay delay. it is up to a victim to ensure that they get a timely trial as well. If a defence lawyer is suggesting a lengthy delay, STRESS how much of an emotional and psychological impact it would have on your health and well being, and that by having a timely trial will benefit both the defendant and complainant.
Cuja said, “time often changes people’s story. that’s why a defendent’s lawyer will always push to delay delay delay.”
Good to be aware of that. If one is involved in a legal action it is always good to put all your recollections down on paper as soon as possible just so you are working as little as possible from pure memory later on.
There should also be some guarantees in the legal system to ensure timely trials. It’s the only way to be fair to the victims.
Re: previous comments, I’m pretty sure the whole point of this bitch is about people who aren’t abusers facing repercussions because of false rumors because some people (regardless of gender) are assholes. Obviously it’s not a bad thing overall.