Bill Cosby Found Guilty of Sexual Assault

On Thursday, Bill Cosby was convicted of three counts of aggravated sexual assault. The criminal charges are from 2004, when Cosby drugged and assaulted Andrea Constrand, an employee who Cosby mentored at Temple University, in his home in Philadelphia.

According to the AP, Cosby faces up to 10 years in jail for each charge, up to 30 years in total. Cosby is the first major celebrity to be tried and convicted following the #MeToo movement.

Constrand is just one of more than 50 women who say Cosby assaulted them. Though five women testified and shared details of their assaults in support of Constrand, most of Cosby’s victims can no longer file charges due to the statute of limitations for sexual assault claims.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), estimates approximately two out of every three sexual assaults go unreported. There are a number of reasons why people decide not to report — from fear of testifying or concerns their attacker might retaliate — all valid, considering out of every 1,000 rapes only six perpetrators will go to jail.

If this news is hard for you, know you are not alone. You don’t have to keep your assault or trauma to yourself. If family and friends aren’t receptive to your needs, look for a local support group in your area. You can also work with a therapist one-on-one if you prefer a more private setting. For those who can’t afford therapy, RAINN offers free, confidential crisis counseling for trauma survivors or you can text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741.