A small crowd gathered at Old City Hall for a solidarity rally and march to recognize survivors of sexual violence – just hours after a judge found former CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi not guilty of five sex-related charges.
In addition to recognizing the Ghomeshi complainants, the event recognized “the countless others who could not to go to the police, and people who have lived through sexual violence in our communities,” a release from event organizer We Believe Survivors issued Wednesday said.
“This space is being created to remind ourselves and others impacted by sexual violence that we believe, support, and love survivors.”
The rally got underway at 5:30 p.m. A march to Toronto police headquarters on College Street started around 6:30 p.m.
The event was supported by groups including The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario, OPSEU, the Ryerson Students’ Union, and more.
Speaking at the rally, actress Lucy DeCoutere said she was humbled by the outpouring of support after she decided to come forward.
“Through this whole thing, anything that I’ve said, to anyone, for any of this… I’ve really had all of you in mind,” she said to the crowd in attendance.
A local politician also in attendance at the event said that she was “shocked” by the judge’s decision in the Ghomeshi case earlier in the day.
“As an assault survivor, I felt re-assaulted by this judgement,” Parkdale-High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo said.
“And I know that women right across Canada, not just Ontario, felt the same. This is a very, very sad day.”
The decision, DiNovo said, sets back the urgent need for justice for victims of sexual violence and will act as a deterrent for women who have been the victims of sexual violence to come forward.
“I’ve said it’s open season on women.”
Outside police headquarters, Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam questioned why anyone would come forward with a system in place that “re-traumatized” and “re-victimized” survivors.
“What we’re seeing here is a real need for reform, and I’m hoping that this really important discussion which has galvanized the nation does not stop today,” she said.
"Our commitment to compassionate, effective work with sexual assault victims remains unchanged," Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders tweeted shortly before 7:30 p.m.
Ghomeshi, 48, was found not guilty of four counts of sexual assault and one count of overcoming resistance by choking by a judge in Toronto Thursday morning.
In a statement released Thursday night, the law firm that represents Ghomeshi said that their client had been "rightly acquitted" of the charges he was facing.
"Notwithstanding the unprecedented scrutiny and pressure, the case was determined on the evidence heard in a court of law," the statement from Henein Hutchison LLP reads.
"In our system of justice, that is what must happen in every case regardless of who is accused or what crime is alleged. That is precisely what occurred in this case."
The firm described the last 16 months for Ghomeshi as "very long, exhausting and devastating."
"(Ghomeshi) will take time with his family and close friends to reflect and move forward from what can only be described as a profoundly difficult period in his life."
