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me too. International Releases Statement on Overturn of Cosby Conviction

June 30, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2021

Contact: metoo@berlinrosen.com

me too. International Releases Statement on Overturn of Cosby Conviction

ATLANTA – Tarana Burke and Dani Ayers – ED and CEO of me too. International, respectively – issued the following statement after the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania announced that it has overturned the 2018 sexual assault conviction of Bill Cosby, and that he had been released from state custody.

Today’s decision is not only triggering for those who have experienced sexual violence and its emotional and physical consequences; it is a miscarriage of what little accountability survivors are afforded by our legal system. While many will use this moment to focus on single, bad actors, this decision to overturn Bill Cosby’s conviction reminds us that we are forced to contend with a flawed criminal-legal system that was created in support of patriarchal standards, with the goal to maintain dominance, power and control.

Almost four years ago, the hashtag #MeToo went viral and ignited a global movement that gave rise to a new wave of stories of sexual violence, powered by solidarity, empathy and seeking healing for generations of survivors. We created me too. International to undergird the work of this global movement and interrupt and ultimately end sexual violence. It is within that work that we prioritize the disruption of dominant narratives that will frame the abuser as the victim, and the abused as the villain. 

Our focus has been and will remain on survivors. We stand strong in solidarity with them, center the need for healing for all who are impacted by this news, and reject the damaging and diminishing stories that will emerge from this decision about who the survivors are and what they deserve.