My response to Carol Off's interview on As It Happens with a woman who alleges that Jian Ghomeshi assaulted her.

1. October 29, 2014
Dear As It Happens and Carol Off
I look forward to tuning into As It Happens. The show and its hosts cover stories
with empathy, respect and professionalism. It came to my complete surprise then
that these usual qualities were sorely lacking in Carol Off’s interview tonight with a
woman (who wished to remain anonymous) who claimed to have been assaulted by
Jian Ghomeshi.
The woman interviewee told Ms. Off that she experienced two episodes of violence
at the hands of Mr. Ghomeshi. The first consisted of him grabbing her hair hard and
pulling her head back. The second consisted of him grabbing her, pulling her to the
ground and punching her repeatedly in the head with a closed fist. The interviewee
said that this did not occur in the context of a sexual act, that they had not talked
about BDSM activities and that Mr. Ghomeshi had not asked for her consent. After
the second beating, she was too distraught to go home and sought support from a
friend (who is a nurse). The CBC confirmed the above story with this friend. In the
context of the above, here are some of the questions asked by Ms. Off:
1. Why did you agree to see him (Jian Ghomeshi) again?
2. Did you struggle?
3. What did you say when this happened?
4. Why didn’t you (press charges)?
5. Did your friend, who is a nurse, did she see any physical signs of this beating?
6. There was no need to seek medical attention then?
7. Did you think at any time, this happened over a decade ago … that perhaps
you should have gone to police?
8. Why did he stop (i.e. beating you up)?
Ms. Off’s questions are appalling. Her questions immediately put this woman on the
defensive thereby revictimizing her and perpetuating rape culture. It was as if the
interviewee was being assaulted all over again.
I have a feeling that Ms. Off did not intend to do this. The fact that an experienced
broadcaster who has covered stories of violence against women for decades can fall
into the trap of blaming the victim only illustrates how ingrained these biases are in
our society. Even Ms. Off does it.
I expect better. The interviewee deserves better.
Here is what I would have asked:
1. Did Mr. Ghomeshi ask if he could pull your hair or repeatedly punch you in
the head? If he did, would you have said yes?

2. 2. Did you and Mr. Ghomeshi discuss a sexual relationship involving BDSM?
3. We know that most women don’t report the abuse they experience. Why did
you decide to come forward?
Ms. Off – your interview has given women another reason not to come forward. In
her book, Men Explain Things to Me, Rebecca Solnit talks about the journey taken by
women and men who fight in the feminist movement. On this journey, we are
continually moving back and forth with the hope that the movement is mostly
forward. Tonight, you and your show set that journey further back.
You can set our course forward again. I suggest apologizing to your interviewee and
inviting Rebecca Solnit on your show to discuss the ways that we, as a society,
suppress women’s voices.
As for your interviewee – if she reads this – this is what I would like to say:
I heard you.
I believed you.
I think you are brave.
Regards,
Susan Woolhouse
Toronto, ON