After more than 50 women came forward accusing Bill Cosby of sexual assault ranging from unwanted kissing, to fondling, to rape—he was finally charged. Unfortunately, for the majority of accusations, the statute of limitations had run out, and the women will not get an opportunity to get the justice they deserve.
Survivor, Andrea Constand was able to see him arrested – but only for a moment, and then the 10% of the $1 million dollar bail was posted.
To review, in 2005, the police interviewed Ms. Constand and her abuser after she reported him following multiple sexual assaults. Unfortunately—and as with many rape cases—the district attorney stated there was not enough evidence to charge him with a crime. However, the case was reopened in 2015 following evidence discovered in Cosby’s unsealed court deposition, and then he was charged.
Ms. Constand’s abuser used some of the same tactics he has used for his sexual advances on other women who have rejected him (meaning by unwillingly drugging them). However in his defense, he was able to “read nonverbal indicators of consent” and bragged of his own sexual ability to pick up much younger women. During his “pursuit” of Ms. Constand, the abuser promoted his role of being a mentor for her, and someone who could guide her career. When that did not work, he resorted to drugging her.
Ms. Constand stated she went to her abuser’s house with the intention of discussing her future career plans. Her abuser told her he “wanted her to relax” and gave her what he claimed were “herbal” pills, while also insisting she drink a glass of wine. Ms. Constand shared that she then experienced blurred vision and trouble speaking, feelings of losing all the strength in her legs, and nausea. However, despite this impairment, she was fully aware that her abuser was fondling her breasts, putting his hands in her pants, penetrating her vagina with his fingers, and forcing her hand onto his penis. Following the assault, Ms. Constand awoke around 4am, with her clothes halfway off, and then left.
Shortly after this event, Ms. Constand had begun to demonstrate post traumatic stress disorder symptoms, including nightmares, screaming, and isolating behaviors. She eventually disclosed the assaults to her mother, who then contacted the police. Her abuser attempted to cover everything up by funding Ms. Constand’s therapy, graduate school tuition, and other expenses, while deflecting all accusations and questions regarding the assault.
Although many will defend Cosby, and claim it’s a “coincidence” that so many women have come forward, we must not blame race, politics, or the fact he was “America’s favorite dad.” We need to start separating our idea of who Bill Cosby is from his T.V. character, and start blaming him for his disgusting and inexcusable actions.
**Moreover, a victim is unable to give consent when under the influence of any substance. So, regardless of the fact that she was drugged and “not struggling” and “not saying no,” that still does not imply consent.
To read the detailed description of Andrea Constand’s allegations against her abuser click here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/294315078/Criminal-Complaint-William-Cosby
