Current Affairs

Time’s up for sexual assailants who have been getting away with their crime.

Bill Cosby has been found guilty for drugging and sexually assaulting Canadian basketball player Andrea Constand in 2004. The 80-year-old actor, famous for his role as Cliff Huxtable in the ’80s family sitcom The Cosby Show, faces up to 10 years in prison for each of the three counts of aggravated indecent assault – there’s a chance that he may serve them concurrently.

Some of the 33 accusers who testified against Cosby during the trial were seen breaking down in relief outside the courtroom after the verdict was passed.

Imme diately after learning that Bill Cosby was convicted of indecent assault, some accusers cry, hug, and celebrate just outside the courtroom https://t.co/ycutNpLKsz pic.twitter.com/C5RlQSOKTT

— CNN (@CNN) April 26, 2018

The news has been called a victory for the #MeToo movement in Hollywood, where the conversation about and battle against sexual assault was fuelled further by last year’s Harvey Weinstein accusations. Celebrities took to social media to share their reactions.

The state of America is this- Even with dozens of accusers we were all afraid Bill Cosby would walk.

— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) April 26, 2018

ACCOUNTABILITY.

This is the only way things will change. https://t.co/BzCBX0Zdh7

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) April 26, 2018

Finally some justice for Bill Cosby’s victims. May they find a little #peace today. #GUILTY

— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) April 26, 2018

Just because you’re rich and powerful doesn’t mean another person’s body is automatically available for sex. Consent must be given.#BillCosby

— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) April 26, 2018

Cosby is guilty. I’m sorry if you loved a lie. His victims can now exhale. Thank you judge and jury. Thank you society for waking up.

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) April 26, 2018

In a fitting end to Sexual Assault Awareness month, Bill Cosby was found guilty today. Thinking of all the women he traumatized over the past 50 years. As a survivor myself, I know that pain never fully goes away. But I hope that his victims finally feel some semblance of peace.

— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) April 26, 2018

Believe the women https://t.co/DPOLCKCYUE

— Larry Wilmore (@larrywilmore) April 26, 2018

Cosby is currently out on bail and can go home, but isn’t allowed to leave Pennsylvania. He will also be put under GPS surveillance. Montgomery County district attorney, Kevin R. Steele, asked for his bail to be revoked as he believed that Cosby was likely to skip town on his private plane.

Cosby, who was reportedly silent when the judge handed down the conviction, lashed out at Steele, saying: “He doesn’t have a plane, you asshole!”

What happens now that comedian Bill Cosby has been convicted?

– He’s allowed to go home
– He can’t leave Pennsylvania
– He will be subject to GPS monitoring
– He faces up to 10 years in prison on each count
– He plans to appeal the verdicthttps://t.co/Ta5tHaAYn2 pic.twitter.com/8QVzJooZCk

— CNN International (@cnni) April 26, 2018

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