Music

Canadian musicians petition in solidarity with the women allegedly abused by Jian Ghomeshi

by Mark Teo

As expected, the Jian Ghomeshi scandal continues to unfold in divisive fashion. After the Q star posted a lengthy Facebook note detailing his account—no doubt heavily vetted by the crisis management firm he hired, Navigator PR—and the Toronto Star published an investigative journalism piece detailing his alleged abuse of three women, the issue exploded into the music world: First, Lights stood in solidarity with Ghomeshi. Then, Owen Pallett penned a powerful statement, repeatedly reminding readers that no matter the details, that “three women have been beaten by Jian Ghomeshi.” Amanda Palmer, meanwhile, sympathized with Ghomeshi, noting “how hard it is to live in public.”

Yet while most of the (admittedly toxic) debate surrounds Ghomeshi, it’s important to be mindful of his alleged victims. The three women in the Star‘s report remained anonymous, and for good reason—as Ellebeaver notes, victims risk intense public scrutiny, especially considering the noxious narrative that’s emerging around the case, namely that the abused are seeking vengeance as “jilted” ex-partners. (Lest we forget, Carla Ciccone, who penned an XO Jane story widely believed to be about Ghomeshi, was intensely bullied. It’s a narrative that, sadly, is far too common on the Internet.) As such, many of the victims were immediately met with disbelief once the Ghomeshi story emerged.

As it relates to sexual abuse, victim-shaming is all too common. And large portions of the Canadian music community agree—and many have signed a petition that’s circulating, standing in solidarity with Ghomeshi’s alleged victims, as well as victims of abuse period. The petition, titled “A Gesture of Love and Support,” ends with one forceful line: We believe you.

Read the petition’s statement in full below, and if you’re so inclined, sign it here.

 

To the women who have been directly affected by Jian Ghomeshi,
And to those survivors of abuse and assault who fear being disbelieved,

You should know first that there are so many of us who believe you. We understand why you fear coming forward, and want to offer a counterbalance of public support and understanding. Jian Ghomeshi’s tactic of using his massive personal platform as a public figure to preemptively silence and discredit his victims is shameful.

We condemn the PR attempt to make you out to be a “jilted ex” and we see through the deplorable strategy of re-routing a conversation that should be about consent and assault to one about BDSM. No one should be abused anywhere – not on a date, not in a workplace. No one should be intimidated out of coming forward with their own stories.

We believe you.