Now that Bill Cosby’s trial has ended in a mistrial, the 79-year-old comedian, who has been accused of sexual assault, is planning to do a series of talks in town halls in the summer in an effort to educate young people and married men on how to avoid sexual assault allegations.
Speaking at the Good Day Alabama show on WBRC Fox 6, Cosby’s representative Andrew Wyatt said that the issue was bigger than Bill Cosby.
He sad, “This issue can affect any young person – especially young athletes of today and they need to know what they are facing when they are hanging out and partying, when they are doing certain things they shouldn’t be doing,” he said, adding that such an issue “also affects married men”.
Ebonee M Benson, another representative, said the need for awareness had grown because the statutes of limitations on sexual assault have been extended in several states. In some cases, the legislative efforts were aided by women who have accused Cosby of molesting them.
This development drew flak from several organisations, including the anti-sexual assault and violence organisation RAINN.
“It would be more useful if Mr. Cosby would spend time talking with people about how not to commit sexual assault in the first place, ” said Jodi Omear, a spokesperson for the organisation.
One of the town hall meetings will be held in Alabama next month. Cosby has also been flooded with calls from civic organisations and churches requesting him to speak to young men and women about the judicial system.
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After deliberating for 52 hours, the jury’s verdict last week ended in a deadlock, thereby resulting in a mistrial. Cosby is currently out on bail after being accused on three counts of aggravated indecent assault in connection with a 2004 encounter with a woman at his home outside Philadelphia. While more than 40 women have come forward to accuse Bill Cosby of sexual harassment and rape, Andrea Constand is considered the primary witness.
Feature Image: BBC