Why Prosecuting Bill Cosby Won't Be As Difficult As It Once Was
Prosecutors are only beginning what will surely be a difficult yet monumental case against Bill Cosby, who was charged Wednesday in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in an alleged 2004 sexual assault.
But prosecuting rapists and sexual assailants used to be even tougher in the state of Pennsylvania. Thanks to a relatively new law, and a recent court decision upholding it, prosecutors in the Cosby case will be able to counter the rape myths that come with sexual assault charges -- myths that have been in full view in the years that allegations have dogged Bill Cosby.
Only since 2012 have prosecutors in Pennsylvania been allowed to bring in outside experts on sexual abuse to address common behaviors among survivors -- such as waiting to report the assault, self-blame and continuing a relationship with their assailants.
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