--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm a sexual assault survivor. I have…" description: "\"I'm a sexual assault survivor. I have long felt like Bill Cosby needed to be held accountable. But I keep wondering if this is a system that can bring ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/837/melissa-harris-perry-10452_accountability_i-m-a-sexual-assault-survivor-i-have-lon_1820512.png" --- # I'm a sexual assault survivor. I have long felt like Bill… ![“I'm a sexual assault survivor. I have long felt like Bill Cosby needed to be held accountable. But I keep wondering if this is a system that can bring that accountability.” quote by Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/837/melissa-harris-perry-10452_accountability_i-m-a-sexual-assault-survivor-i-have-lon_1820512.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/837/melissa-harris-perry-10452_accountability_i-m-a-sexual-assault-survivor-i-have-lon_1820512.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/837/melissa-harris-perry-10452_accountability_i-m-a-sexual-assault-survivor-i-have-lon_1820512.png) > “I'm a sexual assault survivor. I have long felt like Bill Cosby needed to be held accountable. But I keep wondering if this is a system that can bring that accountability.” [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Survivors seek justice but question if legal systems can truly hold powerful offenders accountable. **In simple terms:** Survivors doubt the system's ability to punish. Key Takeaway Consider reforming accountability mechanisms. Themes justice survivor rights systemic failure Mood determined hopeful Type advocacy reflective When to use this quote - court trials - policy advocacy - support groups - public awareness campaigns Key Concepts legal accountability power dynamics victim advocacy Questions to Reflect On - How can we improve systemic accountability? - What reforms would empower survivors? A Different Perspective Legal processes can be slow and influenced by power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accountability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) [Assault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assault/) [Assault Survivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assault-survivor-2191562/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bill-cosby/) [Bills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bills/) [Cosby Needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cosby-needed-2191561/) [Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt/) [Held Accountable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/held-accountable/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Like Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-cosby-1043658/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needed/) [Sexual assault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sexual-assault/) [Sexual Assault Survivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sexual-assault-survivor-225019/) [Survivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survivor/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) ## Related quotes > [Telemarketers tell me I sound like Bill Cosby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/telemarketers-tell-me-i-sound-like-bill-cosby/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [I want to affect culture. I want to have my mark on everything. I give examples of people like Bill Cosby, Quincy Jones -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cannon/i-want-to-affect-culture-i-want-to-have-my-mark-on-everything-i-give/) [Nick Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cannon/) > [But theres a huge blessing that comes from being a part of a show like The Cosby Show that sets such a high standard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-jamal-warner/but-theres-a-huge-blessing-that-comes-from-being-a-part-of-a-show/) [Malcolm-Jamal Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-jamal-warner/) > [Even if you think it is right for Bill Cosby to face charges, it's impossible to ignore that the system which just charged him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/even-if-you-think-it-is-right-for-bill-cosby-to-face-charges-it-s/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [The removal of Bill Cosby from his cultural pedestal seems pretty complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/the-removal-of-bill-cosby-from-his-cultural-pedestal-seems-pretty/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [Bill Cosby was charged with sexual assault. No matter the outcome of this case this moment is an important public acknowledgement that even though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/bill-cosby-was-charged-with-sexual-assault-no-matter-the-outcome-of/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [Bill Cosby no longer on Temple University's board. His name has been removed from various college scholarships and buildings. Two dozen colleges and universities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/bill-cosby-no-longer-on-temple-university-s-board-his-name-has-been/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [I'm a rap comedian the same way Bill Cosby is a jazz comedian, Cosby's laid back. I'm like, bang, bang bang, right into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rock/i-m-a-rap-comedian-the-same-way-bill-cosby-is-a-jazz-comedian-cosby-s/) [Chris Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rock/) > [I always love watching those natural actors like Bill Cosby, Raven-Symone and Shia LaBeouf - just effortless actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-latimore/i-always-love-watching-those-natural-actors-like-bill-cosby-raven/) [Jacob Latimore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-latimore/) > [Some call-in moderators are neutral and courteous. Then there's Rush Limbaugh, who is funny and pompous and a scapegoater and hatemonger. His popularity could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donella-meadows/some-call-in-moderators-are-neutral-and-courteous-then-there-s-rush/) [Donella Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donella-meadows/) > [Bill Cosby is a famous black guy who has a bully pulpit the size of the world; it's global. He puts his colossal foot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/bill-cosby-is-a-famous-black-guy-who-has-a-bully-pulpit-the-size-of/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [“No matter how calmly you try to referee, parenting will eventually produce bizarre behavior, and I'm not talking about the kids. Their behavior is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-conley/no-matter-how-calmly-you-try-to-referee-parenting-will-eventually/) [M. Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-conley/) > [At the end of the day, I want to be part of the same conversation as Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, Bill Cosby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/at-the-end-of-the-day-i-want-to-be-part-of-the-same-conversation-as/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. --Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-order-to-succeed-your-desire-for-success-should-be-greater-than/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I mean, it's not just the rappers, you know what i'm saying? People want to attack anybody that's a large figure, you know what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-notorious-b-i-g/i-mean-it-s-not-just-the-rappers-you-know-what-i-m-saying-people-want/) [The Notorious B.I.G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-notorious-b-i-g/) ## More by Melissa Harris-Perry > [I learned that you can't write a book in the margins of your life. I'd forgotten how much uninterrupted time it takes to write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/i-learned-that-you-can-t-write-a-book-in-the-margins-of-your-life-i-d/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [ The debate was a chance for senator \[Bernie\] Sanders to have a game-changing moment to recapture the news cycle and build momentum going into… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/the-debate-was-a-chance-for-senator-bernie-sanders-to-have-a-game/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [Having a white parent undoubtedly makes for a different childhood experience than having two black parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/having-a-white-parent-undoubtedly-makes-for-a-different-childhood/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [Drink lots of water, and nap. I've made some really big messes along the way, whether on the academic side or on the media…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/drink-lots-of-water-and-nap-i-ve-made-some-really-big-messes-along/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [Terrifying mass shooting and high-profile officer-involved incidents have dominated the national conversation on gun violence in recent years. But most deaths by gun are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/terrifying-mass-shooting-and-high-profile-officer-involved-incidents/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [Stereotypes work to help divide women from recognizing their common interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/stereotypes-work-to-help-divide-women-from-recognizing-their-common/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [I would agree if the race were today, most likely, our nominee would be Donald Trump, but it isn't today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/i-would-agree-if-the-race-were-today-most-likely-our-nominee-would-be/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [The Republicans don't need black folks to vote Republican, they just need them to not vote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/the-republicans-don-t-need-black-folks-to-vote-republican-they-just/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [I had a friend say to me the other day, I hate when I see Jonathan Metzl on your show because I know it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/i-had-a-friend-say-to-me-the-other-day-i-hate-when-i-see-jonathan/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [I am a supporter of much of the Arab Spring, as a matter of indigenous self-determination. So, I see the United States' role in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/i-am-a-supporter-of-much-of-the-arab-spring-as-a-matter-of-indigenous/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [ The leading non-establishment Republican candidate for president, Donald Trump, is just sailing past \[establishment Republican candidates\] in the polls. He is still surging. He… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/the-leading-non-establishment-republican-candidate-for-president/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [I think the idea that you're somehow rejecting whiteness if you don't identify yourself as biracial is odd because everybody engages in whiteness. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/i-think-the-idea-that-you-re-somehow-rejecting-whiteness-if-you-don-t/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [Popular films are so powerful and compelling that it's often easier to accept their versions of history than the much more complicated true stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/popular-films-are-so-powerful-and-compelling-that-it-s-often-easier/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [Donald Trump has changed the rule and so have the stations and the media coverage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/donald-trump-has-changed-the-rule-and-so-have-the-stations-and-the/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [As we watch Republican candidates like Scott Walker and Rick Perry and Bobby Jindal and George Pataki, and even Jeb Bush and Chris Christie,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/as-we-watch-republican-candidates-like-scott-walker-and-rick-perry/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) [Explore all 65 Melissa Harris-Perry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) ## More Accountability quotes > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/) [Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [Democracy is not being well served as we're accustomed to. There is less information, there's less investigation, there's less analysis, there's less accountability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-greenspon/democracy-is-not-being-well-served-as-we-re-accustomed-to-there-is/) [Edward Greenspon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-greenspon/) > [I come from a world where accountability and accomplishments matter, and where titles and rhetoric take a back seat to results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-come-from-a-world-where-accountability-and-accomplishments-matter/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [It means a lot. It means I'm accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/champ-bailey/it-means-a-lot-it-means-i-m-accountable/) [Champ Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/champ-bailey/) > [Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to our god alone. I enquire after no man's and trouble none with mine;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-particular-principles-of-religion-are-a-subject-of-accountability/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [This strongly asserted but ill-defined license to kill without accountability is not an entitlement which the United States or other states can have without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-alston/this-strongly-asserted-but-ill-defined-license-to-kill-without/) [Philip Alston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-alston/) > [Responsible Development shares many practices with XP but the roots are different. 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The highest form of knowledge… is empathy, for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bullard/opinion-is-really-the-lowest-form-of-human-knowledge-it-requires-no/) [Bill Bullard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bullard/) > [The American people deserve accountability over wasteful spending, and we accomplish that by prioritizing taxpayer dollars in a responsive and responsible manner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-britt/the-american-people-deserve-accountability-over-wasteful-spending-and/) [Katie Britt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-britt/) > [If torture is going to be administered as a last resort in the ticking-bomb case, to save enormous numbers of lives, it ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/if-torture-is-going-to-be-administered-as-a-last-resort-in-the/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [“There are many professions that require individuals, on an ongoing basis, to pass drug tests, physicals and psychological evaluations in order to keep their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-hopkins/there-are-many-professions-that-require-individuals-on-an-ongoing/) [Gary Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-hopkins/) > [“Expecting accountability from the UN system was akin to expecting a blind dog to catch a flying Frisbee.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-soussan/expecting-accountability-from-the-un-system-was-akin-to-expecting-a/) [Michael Soussan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-soussan/) [Browse all 860 Accountability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm a sexual assault survivor. 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