Not long after the on-camera confessions from nearly 50 women whom Cosby allegedly drugged and molested, Bill Cosby denounced the “allegations.”
He constantly lied and thus worked to silence his victims. His lawyers said the allegations were “absolutely false.”
His wife, family, and fellow Americans stood with him.
This one situation seems to reflect the atmosphere regarding rape and sexual violence today. The accused rapist has the innocent card to pull, especially if enough time passes between the alleged rape accusations and if, for any reason, the victim doesn’t undergo a rape kit exam— like many of Cosby’s victims.
Hopefully, if he or she plays it right, everything will disappear.
In Cosby’s situation, it was easy for him to dodge the bullet with his celebrity power, wealth and father-figure reputation. Many who did accuse him over the years in court were paid settlements.
And now, the statute of limitations works in Cosby’s favor for many of the allegations. Many of these women were drugged and/or raped by Cosby more than a couple years ago, which in most states, is longer than the statute of limitations for a civil case that one might wish to file. A few of Cosby’s alleged victims are still under the statute of limitations, and very well could file a case which would probably end in another settlement – not jail— for Cosby.
This slew of women speaking out is everything that Bill Cosby sought to avoid.
His power, charm, and team of attorneys would protect him, however. The brave words of the 45 women didn’t hold any power to Bill Cosby and his supporters. Throughout the past few months of repeated accusations by multitudes of women, Cosby continued to tour with his stand-up show, occasionally receiving flack from the audience for his alleged actions, but, nonetheless, still performing for an audience.
If 45 women and the media are what it takes to bring one man down, imagine how many women still remain silent about the identity of their abuser, whether to protect their reputation, career or livelihood.
Reputation should not come into question as a rape victim; unfortunately, the climate on rape in America seems to find ways to out the victim for “asking for it,” often with choice of clothing or lack of sobriety.
Which brings me to another point: if a person is not sober enough to consent to sex, and the other party continues, it is rape.
It’s sad to think that I was a little disappointed that Cosby had actually committed the acts and given women the drugs, but I always believed what these women were saying. Maybe it’s because I am a female myself.
Maybe it’s because I actually feel for victims— men and women— who bravely share their often hard-to-revisit stories to out an abuser who may remain innocent. It takes guts to share a negative story about one of the most well-loved men in America, especially if you know you’re not being taken seriously by others.
To top off the controversy, Cosby’s wife and business advisor recently told a group of advisors that she, in fact, still stands with him, and she said she believes the women consented to both the drugs and the sex.
Some might say these women were stupid or were asking for it.
These women, many in their early twenties, close to my own age, thought one of the most successful comedians at the time was going to “mentor” them – help them rise to stardom, when, in fact, he only wanted to exploit them to gain his sick, short-lived pleasure.
When Andrea Constand, Cosby’s first accuser, wanted only an apology from Cosby years ago, he purportedly offered her money to get through grad school.
Cosby relied on money and charisma to keep these women quiet. It only worked for so long, until their power in numbers finally added up against him.
Unfortunately, just as many rape victims never see their abuser imprisoned, it is doubtful that Cosby will be penalized for his acts other than the removal of a few busts or awards.
Zoe McDonald is junior journalism major from Brandon, Mississippi.
