BILL COSBY ACCUSED OF RAPE

[blueberryhill]

Women don't come forward because they think, at the time, that they are the only victim; they are embarrassed and they don't want to take on a icon. Many times, these women have had too much to drink. There are so many reasons, women don't come forward. If the sexual assault goes to trial, her entire sexual history is discussed, how many sexual partners she has had and so on. It is not a pleasant experience and many times, friends and family will discourage someone from coming forward. Just imagine if it were an icon in Hollywood. You would feel alone, isolated, etc. but then years later, that woman finds out that there were other victims, so she decides her story needs to be told. In most cases it is not for financial gains (of course there are exceptions), it is to show this TV icon is nothing more than a bully sexual predator. You feel that people will find you more believable if other women come forward with their stories and his MO is always the same, i.e, drug, rape, and dismissal. I don't find this odd at all that they didn't come forward years ago and don't forget that some victims did come forward. They were not believed. That is why only 80% of rapes are reported in our country. Rape is about power and control and is usually violent. This crime can progress to murder to silence the victim/witness. Nothing to scoff at or dismiss....
Cutz, you mention women not coming forward to avoid embarrassment. Living with shame and embarrassment for a lifetime is such an emotional overload. When women come forward at the cost of being embarrassed, they immediately feel free and a great burden is released. This becomes a degree of justice and empowerment for the victim. Believe it or not, after all those years, their healing can start.