The acquittal of Jian Ghomeshi is gaining a strong reaction from the sexual assault services community.
Ghomeshi faced charges stemming from accusations made by three women who say they were sexually assaulted between 2002 and 2003.
Jeanne Fay, Executive Coordinator of a women’s centre in Nova Scotia says she isn’t surprised by the outcome
However she says that doesn’t take away from her outrage.
“What victim in their right mind is going to come forward after this,” says Fay. “It’s really a set back.”
According to a release from the Atlantic Sexual Assault Network 97% of assaults go unreported in Canada.
They add out of every 1000 sexual assaults only three assailants are ever convicted.
Fay says more work needs to be done to make sure the judicial system protects victims.
However, she feels some good did come from the trial.
She says it sparked a national conversation about consent that she hopes will continue to grow.
