Women all around the world and the internet were shocked and appalled at the announcement today that a Canadian court found Jian Ghomeshi innocent of all sexual assault charges that had been brought against him. The former CBC radio host was accused by multiple women that he sexually assaulted and abused them, yet the judge dismissed the charges due to “inconsistencies” in the stories and a lack of overwhelming evidence available.
The idea that sexual assault victims are consistently less than honest is already something that permeates public opinion, so another legal case perpetuating that idea was too much for a lot of people to handle. Many authors, activists, and other celebrities took to the internet to tell their own Ghomeshi stories and speak up about the case’s outcome. Ruby Sparks star Zoe Kazan had a story of her own to tell regarding an uncomfortable interview with the radio personality a few years back.
Not that I need personal experience to believe the women accusing Jian Ghomeshi, but let me say this: in 2013, Ghomeshi interviewed me (1/5)
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) March 24, 2016
Before we went on air, he told me I was "just his type." "Funny, sexy, just the right amount of damage," he said (after talking abt 3 mins).
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) March 24, 2016
This within the context of a professional interview, with producers in the room. I was shaken, but tried to hide it. Gotta be game, right?
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) March 24, 2016
Later he showed up @ party I was at & wdnt leave me alone. His unwanted attention made me feel like I'd "asked for it." I felt dirty & sad.
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) March 24, 2016
I think of the way he made me feel, without ever laying a hand on me, and I tremble with rage for the women who were denied justice today.
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) March 24, 2016
Kazan’s acknowledgement that a personal experience isn’t necessary to understand why the outcome of this particular case is so awful is refreshing to see, but the creepy experience itself is one more encounter that makes Ghomeshi seem as cringe worthy and awful as he’s been accused of being.
(via Vulture)