To obtain permission to reprint any or all portions of the below article written by Mike Domitrz (Executive Director of The Date Safe Project), e-mail mike@thedatesafeproject.org. 

Kobe Bryant Potentially Admits to Sexual Assault!
Press Release Originally Released on 9/3/2004

In a recent letter released by his lawyers, 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” (referring to Bryant's case in Eagle County, Colorado involving charges of him sexually assaulting a female which were recently dropped).  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 Bryant, it is not what she feels – it is what she knows!  Did you ask her for consent?  How else did you know what she was thinking?  She did not endure the past year of agony because she “felt” that she didn’t have consent.  She remained strong because she knew what she experienced (as all survivors do).  Let's not forget that it was your defense team which contributed to the horrible allegations made against her. 

In a statement that cannot be used against Bryant in a 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?”

How come no one is asking, “Isn’t something wrong when Bryant only admits the truth when he is completely safe of being held accountable?”  In his statement, he acknowledged that the agreement included that his statement could not be used against him in any civil court.  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!

- written by "The Date Safe Project" LLC
To obtain permission to reprint any or all portions of the above press release, e-mail mike@thedatesafeproject.org. 

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