Last Friday, in the wake of the verdict that found defamed CBC host Jian Ghomeshi ‘not guilty’ of sexual assault, the Mount Saint Vincent University Feminist Collective organized a rally outside of the Nova Scotia Provincial Courthouse to stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault in Canada.Â
“It was definitely a very emotional afternoon that was overwhelming and powerful,” writes  Carole Rankin in an email. Rankin was one of a few dozen attendees who gathered or spoke about occurrences of sexual assault, and the social difficulties inherent in prosecuting such crimes.  “People told really personal stories and there was a really strong connection between everyone there. People were able to voice their frustrations and get support and encouragement from the group. Most of the speakers made a point of saying they weren’t surprised by the Ghomeshi verdict but I think we were all hoping that this time maybe things would be different and maybe we would have seen some justice.”Â
Coast photographer Meghan Tansey Whitton captured the rally, below. #WeBelieveSurvivors.
Tomorrow night, there is a Safe Harbour Community Gathering at the Company House (2202 Gottingen Street, 5pm-7pm) hosted by poet and educator Sue Goyette. For those seeking support, MSVUFC reminds people to contact the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre and others.
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Everybody’s response to Ghomeshi verdict: We believe survivors
I believe Lucy because I know what it’s like
This article appears in Mar 24-30, 2016.
I believe the judge.
This movement wants us to convict people based solely on accusation. How do they expect us to blindly follow?
Avalon tells me that I should believe. But in the case of Ghomeshi, I would be wrong. How can I ignore the deception and collusion that occured?
How do they stand in the face of this verdict and demand we believe otherwise?
I have absolutely no respect to offer…
I’m confused, wasn’t there rally a while back on the same street where women protested the conviction of a accused rapist carry signs that said ‘Regret is NOT Rape’. So, believe women? Don’t believe women?
Oh how I fear for this generation of people.
The narcissistic selfie generation has been raised to find self esteem through self declared victim-hood. Media like The Coast and CBC perpetuate this victim culture.
# IBelieveLucyLied
Not disclosing everything to your legal counsel is an example of stupidity, not of lying. Who knows, with everything on the table maybe counsel for the prosecution may have tried a different approach in this matter?
I am a man that works security downtown. I get sexually assaulted by women grabbing my penis and butt every night and they laugh about it. I do not want you grabbing my junk. Some of these women are probably at this rally…
I believe in evidence above emotions. I believe that it’s possible to be a victim of false rape accusation. I believe that having sex now and regretting it later does not make it rape.
Another SJW advertorial yanked from the home page because comenters point out the truth to the closed minded. What must it be like to work at The Coast where everyone shares exactly one point of view? It must be the same at journalism school. Everyone’s encouraged to speak their mind as long as it’s the accepted version.