Rally and march to be held after verdict in Jian Ghomeshi sexual assault trial

A march and rally in support of victims of sexual assault will be held in downtown Toronto just hours after Justice William B. Horkins hands down his verdict in the Jian Ghomeshi trial on Thursday.

Organized by the Centre for Women and Trans People and the Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education at Ryerson University, the March 24 event is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at Old City Hall and ending at Toronto Police Headquarters.

The hashtag #WeBelieveSurvivors is being promoted on Twitter ahead of the march.

READ MORE: How the Jian Ghomeshi trial has ‘changed forever’ the conversation about sexual assault in Canada

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“No matter the outcome of the trial, we support people who have lived through violence,” the group said in a Facebook page.

“Join us in solidarity to support the women who bravely testified, the countless others who could not to go to the police, and people who have lived through sexual violence in our communities.”

Although quantifying sexual assaults continue to be a challenge, as a majority of these crimes are not reported to police, Statistics Canada says fewer than one in ten sexual assault victims come forward.

READ MORE: A look back at the most significant aspects of the Jian Ghomeshi trial

The former CBC Radio host has pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual assault and one count of overcome resistance by choking in connection to the alleged sexual assaults of three women, among them is Canadian actress Lucy DeCoutere.

He admitted in 2014 that he engaged in rough sex acts, but said it was consensual.

2:44 Wrapping up the Jian Ghomeshi trial

• Wrapping up the Jian Ghomeshi trial
• Ghomeshi trial wraps up
• Jian Ghomeshi trial set to hear closing arguments
• Crown closes case against Jian Ghomeshi
• Jian Ghomeshi arrives for court as Crown hears testimony from 4th alleged witness
• Journalist Kevin Donovan weighs in on Jian Ghomeshi trial
• Experts say Ghomeshi trial highlights why rape victims don’t come forward
• Ghomeshi trial close to wrapping up

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