Bill Cosby Admitted He’s Given Drugs To Women For Sex; Everything Continues To Be Terrible

This post discusses sexual assault.

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After nine months of public scrutiny and ten years of speculation, there are now dozens of women accusing Bill Cosby of sexual assault, in cases which date back as far as four decades. Though he hasn’t been charged with any of these crimes — the statute of limitations prevents many of the claims being presented to a court at all — things are definitely not looking good.

Cosby has been ousted by the entire entertainment industry, deserted by many of his fans, and persistently heckled at his stage shows. Though the comedian has denied claims and remained painfully aloof when speaking publicly about the whole thing, it’s a safe bet you’re in a crappy situation when people are specifically buying tickets to your shows to boo and call you “a piece of shit”.

And today, the whole horrific saga continued with an update: Associated Press has this morning revealed court documents in which Cosby admits to getting prescriptions for quaaludes — the same heavy sedatives which totally annihilated Leo’s motor function in Wolf of Wall Street — with the intention of giving them to women before sex.

The testimony comes from the first sexual assault lawsuit filed against him in 2005, and it’s just a terrible, no-good way to start your day:

Importantly, two of the women testifying in this particular case claimed they took the drugs by choice. Cosby settled the case under confidential terms and the documents were sealed accordingly. He’s since been fighting AP against their attempts to make the testimony public, with his lawyer stating the material “would embarrass him” and prejudice a jury (his accusers are suing him for defamation, after he publicly dismissed their claims).

Though the full document doesn’t make any definite conclusions about the consent of the women involved, the above declaration of intent is not nothing. It’s since prompted those who have supported him, like singer Jill Scott, to do a full 180.

1) We live in America. Many African American men are detained &/or imprisoned for crimes without evidence. I will never jump on bandwagons

— ⭐Jill Scott⭐ (@missjillscott) July 6, 2015

2) based on social media or hearsay. Proof will always matter more than public opinion. The sworn testimony is proof. Completely disgusted.

— ⭐Jill Scott⭐ (@missjillscott) July 6, 2015

I stood by a man I respected and loved. I was wrong. It HURTS!!! When you get it ALL right, holla.

— ⭐Jill Scott⭐ (@missjillscott) July 6, 2015

Others, however, have found the hype surrounding the news somewhat frustrating. As one of Cosby’s most vocal opponents in the entertainment industry, Judd Apatow told Esquire, “there [isn’t] anything new here”. “It is only new to people who didn’t believe an enormous amount of women who stated clearly that he drugged them,” he said.

“We shouldn’t need Bill Cosby to admit it to believe 40 people who were victimised by him. I am sure there are many victims who have not come forward. Maybe now more people in show business and all around our country will stand up and tell the people he attacked that we support you and believe you.”

Bill Cosby's confession somehow outweighed the stories of 45 women in the public arena. Someone tell me I'm wrong. I dare you.

— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) July 6, 2015

If you’d like to hear more from the alleged victims of these crimes, artist Barbara Bowman and former models Beverly Johnson and Janice Dickinson have all opened up about their alleged experiences in the past year.

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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual violence of any kind, please call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.