President Obama on Bill Cosby’s Rape of Women

Since the AP successfully pursued the release of court documents revealing Bill Cosby’s admission that he procured drugs to rape women, there has been a campaign to revoke his Medal of Freedom, which he was awarded in 2002.  When asked about the campaign and Bill Cosby’s conduct, President Obama said he couldn’t comment directly on a specific case, but what he could do was say that the action to which Cosby has admitted is rape:

“If you give a woman — or a man, for that matter — without his or her knowledge a drug and then have sex with that person without consent, that’s rape.”

When asked, our President said – in no uncertain terms – that drugging someone to assault them is rape.  That is not a small thing, and is especially noteworthy given the national conversation in which many defenders of Cosby continue to apologize or explain away his actions as something other than what it was: rape.  Viewed in this context, President Obama’s statement is very meaningful, and undoubtedly appreciated by many survivors.

If you or someone you care about has been the victim of sexual violence, we are here to help.  Please contact us today for a free confidential consultation.  Use our confidential online form or call 1-888-407-0224.

You are not alone.  We are here to help.