Can the dialogue around sexual assault lead to broader change?

Over the past few months we have seen a shift in the public conversation about violence against women and sexual assault. Across North America, women have been coming forward with allegations against major public figures, including comedian Bill Cosby and the former host of this program, Jian Ghomeshi. 

Prominent politicians like Sheila Copps and Cheri di Novo, writers like Leah McLaren and former Q staffer Kathryn Borel have come forward with their own wrenching stories of harassment and sexual assault. And Parliament Hill has been embroiled in controversy as two NDP MPs have accused Liberal MPs of sexual misconduct. 

The sheer volume of coverage and number of women coming forward has many people asking whether the media conversation has the potential to lead to wider cultural change. 

Can the discussion lead to a better understanding of consent? Will it lead to a better climate for victims to report assaults? Should we worry that much of the conversation is happening in the press and social media instead of in the courts? 

Joining guest host Wab Kinew to discuss these issues: 

• Denise Balkissoon: Editor-in-chief of the Ethnic Aisle and contributor to The Globe and Mail, The Walrus, The Toronto Star and more. 
• Brenda Cossman: Professor of law and director of the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto. 
• Rachel Giese: Freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The Walrus, Toronto Life, and Chatelaine and more.

We also hear clips from Stacey May Fowles of The Walrus and National Post columnist Christie Blatchford.

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.