Jian Ghomeshi trial felt well beyond Toronto

The high-profile sexual assault trial in Toronto of former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi is being felt even in Nova Scotia.

"We are hearing from people who are feeling retraumatized as a result of the details coming out of the trial, the impact on the victims that have been on the stand, and just having the issues so public at this time," said Jackie Stevens of the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre.

• Jian Ghomeshi trial: 3rd complainant alleges she was choked in Toronto park

The centre is a Halifax-based operation that provides support and counselling for victims of sexual assault. The centre also advocates on issues surrounding sexualized violence.

The trial is in its second week. Three women have complained that Ghomeshi sexually assaulted them. The third complainant testified Monday.

Last week, the second complainant, Lucy DeCoutere, faced a gruelling cross-examination from Ghomeshi's lawyer, Marie Henein. DeCoutere has waived her right to have her identity protected by a publication ban.

"Some people make that choice because they recognize that they haven't done anything wrong," Stevens said.

Others, however, welcome the publication ban. They may want to protect themselves, Stevens says, or perhaps they have family members who don't know.

Few victims come forward

Stevens says most people don't report to police if they're a victim of sexual assault, and a high-profile trial like this one trial doesn't help.

"Some of the messaging or information that comes out of sexual assault cases, that certainly can play a factor for people in terms of when they're deciding whether or not to come forward, whether they would want to go through a court process," Stevens said.

According to figures from Statistics Canada, 88 per cent of sexual assaults are not reported to police.

Halifax Regional Police say they received 625 complains of sexual assault from the beginning of 2014 to the beginning of December 2015. The figure covers the entire Halifax Regional Municipality, including areas patrolled by RCMP.

Of those complaints, the vast majority are still open and being looked into by police. There were 112 complaints that resulted in charges, while 19 people declined to follow through. Police said 66 of the complaints were unfounded.

Stevens says there is also something positive about a high-profile trial like Ghomeshi's.

"People can't get away from it," Stevens said. 

"Some people now are kind of forced to recognize that it is a serious societal and systemic issue in our country. And in their communities. So certainly people have a broader awareness, and more victims are coming forward."