The Jian Ghomeshi sex scandal is high-profile news right across Canada, including here in Calgary, where it’s raising a number of issues.
Agencies that work with sexual assault victims say it’s a prime example of how women are struggling about coming forward, registering complaints, and wondering if they will be believed.
Danile Aubry, Executive Director of Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse says even with years of education and modern attitudes about sexual assault, there’s a still a tendency to blame possible victims.
“Don’t buy into all of the rape myths that have come out in this particular situation – that women lie, that women are vengeful, that scorned women do this and that.”
“Those are all rape myths that are very entrenched in our society.” said Aubry.
A prominent Calgary lawyer says there’s still a stigma attached to sexual assault victims.
Balfour Der says if they don’t want to come forward, they should not be pressured to file a complaint.
“If a complainant chooses not to complain.. you know, if a complaint says I know this is bad and maybe it was a crime against me.. I don’t want any part of it, that’s their right,” said Der.
“Their privacy interests should be just be left alone,” he said.
Some of the allegations in the Ghomeshi case go back more than a decade, but there is no statute of limitations on bringing forward or investigating claims of sexual assault.
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