Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Mike Domitrz (author & speaker)" <>]

Below is a press release that we are sending out (please feel free to share
your feedback with me):

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Kobe Potentially Admits to Sexual Assault!!



Kobe Bryant stated, "Although I truly believe this encounter between us was
consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident
the same way I did."  Consent is based on both people consenting together.
Bryant cannot have consent if she didn't give him consent.



Later in his statement, Bryant says, "I now understand how she feels that
she did not consent to this encounter."  Kobe, it is not what she feels - it
is what she knows!  She knows she didn't give consent.  She did not endure
the past year of agony that your defense team helped put her through because
she "felt" that she didn't have consent.  She remained strong because she
knew what she experienced (as all survivors do).



In a statement that cannot be used against Bryant in a criminal or civil
suit, now he suddenly tells the truth?  Why isn't everyone in the media and
in the sports world reporting that Kobe potentially admitted to rape?
Instead, the coverage is filled with headlines such as "Case Dropped";  "Can
He Get His Endorsements Back?"; or "What Were Her Motives?".



In his statement, he acknowledged that the agreement included his statement
could not be used against him in any criminal or civil court.  How come no
one is asking, "Isn't something wrong when Bryant only admits the truth only
when he is completely safe of being held accountable?"  What if this
admission were to a different crime such as murder?  After all, murder and
rape are considered the most horrific crimes in our society.  If a celebrity
said, "I think I might have killed a person. I just didn't realize it at the
time," we would see reactions of outrage and disgust.  Where is the outrage
with Kobe's statement?



For the millions of sexual assault survivors across America who watched this
case unfold, please know that many of us are outraged and furious.  We will
continue to speak out until the heart of this issue begins to be addressed -
respect and consent!



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Mike Domitrz  

-- "Can I Kiss You?  Dating, Communication, Respect & Sexual Assault
Awareness" for Students & Educators
-- Watch Video Online at www.domitrz.com
-- Toll-Free: (800) 329-9390
-- Website:  www.domitrz.com

**Get a Complimentary copy of Chapter Eight from Mike's book ~ "May I Kiss
You?  A Candid Look at Dating, Communication, Respect, & Sexual Assault
Awareness" by signing up at www.domitrz.com **