Watson

Why Are Watson Accusers Attending Texans vs Browns?

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HOUSTON – Ten of the women who accused DeShaun Watson of sexual misconduct during massages will attend the Texans vs Browns game at NRG Stadium. The attorney representing the women, Tony Buzbee, invited them to the game. There were as many as 24 women who accused Watson of misconduct and in some cases sexual assault.

 

Ever since the news came out earlier this week, many people on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, have made it known that this seems highly irregular, and typically victims wouldn’t put themselves in situations to face the accused outside of the courtroom. Some even suggested that the move was for Buzbee to gain influence and further his career. Others defended the decision the women made.

 

It’s important to take a bigger look at the issue these women are drawing attention to. The issue is bigger than the accusers and Watson. The NFL’s policy is clear on its stance on the entire issue. The personal conduct policy, states ” It is a privilege to be part of the National Football League.” “Everyone who is part of the league must refrain from conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the NFL.” The policy then lists some of the prohibited conduct. They include “assault and or battery, including sexual assault or other sex offenses.”

 

What is the legal definition of sexual assault? According to the United States Department of Justice, sexual assault is “any nonconsensual sexual act prescribed by Federal, Tribal, or State law including when the victim lacks the capacity to consent.” The University of Akron provides more context for the definition under NCAA Title IX “sexual assault is defined as forcible and non-forcible sex offenses and includes rape, sexual assault with an object, fondling, incest, statutory rape, non-consensual sexual contact, and non-consensual sexual intercourse. Former United States President Barack Obama spoke on this as well “We need to keep saying to anyone out there who has ever been assaulted: you are not alone. We have your back. I’ve got your back.”

 

There were even questions as to the validity of the accusations presented by the accusers. However, it’s important to note that under the rules of professional responsibility, a lawyer shall not “falsify evidence, counsel or assist a witness to testify falsely, or offer an inducement to a witness that is prohibited by law.” Buzbee would be taking an enormous risk to his professional career by accepting cases that are entirely false.

Based on that information, it’s reasonable to assume that Buzbee took the cases with confidence knowing that the civil cases had enough information for his clients, or a majority of his clients, to win the civil lawsuits. However, it’s important to remember that two grand juries dismissed the criminal cases citing there wasn’t enough evidence to go to trial.

 

Buzbee made it clear they want Watson to remember they’re still there and this is for the women to not only draw attention to the issue but carry on with their lives as well. Carrying on with life was something emphasized by Jessica Klein, Senior Lecturer at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.

Georgetown Law offers some information on common myths and conceptions regarding sexual assault.

 

Regardless of what Watson did or didn’t do, it’s still important to have conversations about the issue to try to make an impact on the victims and reduce the number of sexual assaults and sexual crimes. It’s a tough and emotional conversation to have but changes need to happen.

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