LETHBRIDGE – The Sexual Violence Action Committee (SVAC) of Lethbridge and area sent a message of support to all survivors of sexual assault in the wake of Thursday’s not guilty verdict in the trial of former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi, saying: “I believe you.”
In a release issued Thursday, SVAC said every person responds differently to trauma. The group wants to make sure any person who experiences sexual violence is not afraid to speak up.
READ MORE: A timeline of the Jian Ghomeshi sex assault scandal
The statement was issued after Ghomeshi was acquitted of four counts of sexual assault and one count of overcome resistance by choking. The release stated that 97 per cent of sexual assaults go unreported in Canada. Of those sexual assaults that are reported to police, most do not lead to charges, let alone convictions, the group said.
Watch below: Global’s ongoing coverage of the Jian Ghomeshi trial
“The bar for conviction in criminal court is very high,” chairperson Bill Kaye said, emphasizing the Crown must prove a case without reasonable doubt.
“Just because there is reasonable doubt in a case and someone is acquitted, doesn’t equate to innocence or the fact that it didn’t happen. We really want survivors to understand that we do believe them.”
Kaye added it takes a tremendous amount of courage for survivors to report a sexual assault to police.
READ MORE: He said/she said – How is consent determined in sexual assault cases?
Some survivors choose to report and many do not, he said. Out of every 1,000 sexual assaults in Canada, 997 assailants walk free, according to the group’s data.
SVAC wants to remind Albertans there is no right or wrong way for victims or survivors to respond to sexual assault.
“As helpers, friends and family of someone who has experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse, remember the power of ‘I believe you,” Kaye said. “As a society let’s stop focusing on the behaviour of victims and turn our attention to holding perpetrators accountable for the crimes they commit.”
Watch below: The not guilty verdict in the trial of Jian Ghomeshi has many people talking about potential flaws in our legal system. As Sarah Offin reports, many are worried it will discourage future victims of sexual violence form coming forward.
For sexual assault services in Lethbridge, contact the emergency crisis line at 1-866-296-0447 or Lethbridge Family Services at 403-327-5724. To locate services in other parts of Alberta visit http://aasas.ca/get-help/. For information on how you can support survivors of sexual assault and sexual abuse visit www.ibelieveyou.info.