Shaming, outrage, and gendered tensions in public responses to the Jian Ghomeshi verdict

What is it about?

The researchers looked at almost 4,000 Twitter posts in the hours following the verdict. Twitter users quickly took sides along gender lines, expressing whether the criminal justice system had worked or failed. The public pitted stereotypes of the rational male against the emotional female and how these were reflected in the legal system. The researchers concluded that punitive systems of justice do not instil a sense of confidence in the public. The researchers recommend restorative and transformative approaches to justice as alternative measures to respond to sexual assault. These approaches shift focus to the healing and dignity of everyone involved in sexual assault cases. The Twitter response to this case demonstrates that achieving truth in justice is a messy, emotional and indefinite process, but one that will remain elusive if the justice system remains bent on declaring winners and losers.

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