Another woman comes forward to accuse Cosby of rape

theGRIO REPORT - Emboldened by the stories other women have shared, Joan Tarshis has come forward to share her story.

Nov 17, 2014

Emboldened by the stories other women have shared, Joan Tarshis has come forward to share her story.

In 1969, when Tarshis was just 19, she and Bill Cosby were both working at Universal Studios. During that time, she says, Cosby would often give her alcohol, and on one occasion, she lost consciousness after he made her a cocktail.

Tarshis described what happened when she woke up: “The next thing I remember was coming to on his couch while being undressed.” She continued, “I thought I was being clever when I told him I had an infection and he would catch it and his wife would know he had sex with someone. But he just found another orifice to use. I was sickened by what was happening to me and shocked that this man I had idolized was now raping me. Of course I told no one.”

Tarshis also related the story of waking up naked in Cosby’s bed after drinking with Cosby at a musical performance.

Since Hannibal Burres’ now-famous routine in which he called Cosby a rapist and Barbara Bowman’s stunning essay detailing her own assault at Cosby’s hands, Tarshis says she feels the time is right for her story.

Cosby has not responded to any of the allegations, but on Sunday, his lawyer, John P. Schmitt, had this to say:

Over the last several weeks, decade-old, discredited allegations against Mr. Cosby have resurfaced. The fact that they are being repeated does not make them true.