Bassam Aladin Al-Rawi has been found not guilty of sexual assault, and I feel sick. The case seemed open-and-shut to everyone except the Judge. The woman in this case was found, half-naked and unconscious, in the back of a taxi. The driver of the taxi, Bassam Aladin Al-Rawi, was found in close proximity to the […]
Sexual assault
Posted inNews + Opinion
Appeals Standing Committee’s authority on taxi licenses under review
The authority of HRM’s Appeals Standing Committee to make rulings on taxi licenses is currently under review. According to municipal spokesperson Brendan Elliott, HRM is working with the province to determine if it makes sense for a standing committee of city councillors to make the kinds of decisions like the one that put Bassam Al-Rawi […]
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Sexual harassment in the service industry
Working in food and beverage for eight years means that from a young age I was exposed to sexual harassment and sexual assault. I was made to feel that the gain and devotion of a customer mattered much more than the concerns and protection of an employee. Women are brought up hearing that we should […]
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Survey shows Canada’s military (still) has a sexual assault problem
It’s not surprising, but it is disturbing. Statistics Canada has released some damning numbers in relation to sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, and a former naval reservist says the military doesn’t do enough to help victims. “What they’re doing is to say: If you report, that’s the only way, pretty much, you can […]
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Dal’s sexual assault helpline received 17 “legitimate” calls last year
[Image-1] An internal review by the Dalhousie Student Union of its Sexual Assault and Harassment Phone Line project found a total of 57 calls made in the 2015-16 academic school year—17 of which were recorded as “legitimate.” The report, released under a Freedom of Information request, says there were two repeat callers in that 17. […]
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Dalhousie’s sexual assault helpline in turmoil
Survivors of sexual assault at Dalhousie may only have until November 3 to call the university’s helpline. The Dalhousie Student Union says right now it can only offer the sexual assault and harassment phone line service for the first eight weeks of classes after being offered inadequate funding from the university’s administration. Students at Dalhousie […]
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No safe way home
[Image-1] Take a cab. It’ll be safer. For many people out at night, looking for a secure way home, it’s a familiar refrain. Lately, a different kind of phrase is becoming familiar. And for some women, the safety promised by taxis has been anything but. Since the start of 2016, five sexual assaults have been […]
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Finding the strength to seek help after my sexual assault
[Image-1] Two-and-a-half years ago I was sexually assaulted, and it is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. In many aspects of my life, I am changed. There were times when I didn’t think I could ever be happy again. There were times when I doubted myself so much that I […]
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The justice system after Ghomeshi
[Image-1] While the Jian Ghomeshi verdict has created much discussion both nationally and locally about the justice system’s treatment of sexual assault survivors, it appears politicians are taking baby steps in response. This week, Ghomeshi appeared in a Toronto court to sign a peace bond and apologize to the former coworker he was charged with […]
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Jamie Baillie calls for more support for survivors of sexual assault
[Image-1] Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie is trying to tighten the province’s sexual assault legislation. The PC Caucus is introducing two bills this week at Province House to try and improve the protection of victims’ rights, and to change the rules of reporting sexual assaults at Nova Scotia’s university and college campuses. “They’re […]
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Avalon Sexual Assault Centre launches crowd-funding campaign
[Image-1] The Avalon Sexual Assault Centre is launching a crowd-funding campaign in order to raise money for prevention and critical intervention services for Nova Scotians. This one-month campaign is in response to both an increase in demands for services and an increase in people wanting to help out at the centre. “We continue to see an […]
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Province hands out $70,000 to combat sexual violence
[Image-1] Six organizations in the Annapolis Valley and South Shore regions will receive $70,000 from the province to combat sexual violence. Keith Irving, MLA of Kings South, announced the “Prevention Innovation Grants” Tuesday morning at Acadia University. The Wolfville university will receive nearly $27,000 to invest in prevention strategies focused around consent and coercion. Other […]