Avery Bradley accused of sexual assault; denies allegations

[rondohondo]

No humor here!

No soup for you

[PhoSita]

advise to men in the MeToo era:

If you're alone in an elevator, and a woman steps in, get out.

Or you could just, like, treat her the same as you would anybody else who gets in the elevator with you, and there won't be any problems.

[PhoSita]

It's wrong to assume that the woman is lying off the bat, but it's also naive to think that some women don't use these type of allegations as a means to get paid.

The problem lies in assuming that the most common and likely explanation in these situations is that the woman is a liar motivated by money.  Many people seem to respond to these stories as though that's the Occam's Razor solution to the question of what really happened.  That's a problem.

There is overwhelming evidence that sexual assault and generally aggressive & disrespectful behavior by men, particularly men in positions of power, against women is a disturbingly common problem.  What's more, it has been and remains a problem that is under reported, infrequently prosecuted, and often not taken seriously until multiple allegations have been brought against the same person.

In that societal context, there is value in demonstrating to the women around you -- not just to the women who have brought these accusations in a high profile context -- that you will listen to and believe women who speak out. 

When anybody, but especially men, responds first and foremost to these types of stories by questioning the motives of the woman, they signal to the women around them that they are inherently suspicious of women who accuse men and doubtful that other men can or will engage in this type of conduct.  That only serves to make it easier for the relatively small percentage of men who engage in that conduct to keep doing so, and thereby cast all men in that light.

[KGs Knee]

It's wrong to assume that the woman is lying off the bat, but it's also naive to think that some women don't use these type of allegations as a means to get paid.

The problem lies in assuming that the most common and likely explanation in these situations is that the woman is a liar motivated by money.  Many people seem to respond to these stories as though that's the Occam's Razor solution to the question of what really happened.  That's a problem.

There is overwhelming evidence that sexual assault and generally aggressive & disrespectful behavior by men, particularly men in positions of power, against women is a disturbingly common problem.  What's more, it has been and remains a problem that is under reported, infrequently prosecuted, and often not taken seriously until multiple allegations have been brought against the same person.

In that societal context, there is value in demonstrating to the women around you -- not just to the women who have brought these accusations in a high profile context -- that you will listen to and believe women who speak out. 

When anybody, but especially men, respond first and foremost to these types of stories by questioning the motives of the woman, they signal to the women around them that they are inherently suspicious of women who accuse men and doubtful that other men can or will engage in this type of conduct.

I agree.

But the response should not be to inherently assume anyone accused is absolutely guilty.  That has very detrimental ramifications as well.

[PhoSita]

I agree.

But the response should not be to inherently assume anyone accused is absolutely guilty.  That has very detrimental ramifications as well.

It is tricky, I agree.

Personally the way I look at it is, I can make a much bigger difference to the people who actually spare a moment to consider anything I say by demonstrating that I believe and support women who have experienced sexual violence.  Avery Bradley doesn't need my support.  He will be just fine regardless.

If we're talking guilt or innocence in a criminal context, or in terms of Avery keeping his job or his endorsement deals, there of course should be due process and a burden of proof. 

But in terms of me deciding whether or not to take news of allegations against a public figure seriously, I err on the side of assuming there is a good faith reason that the woman brought the allegation.  I try to keep an open mind to be dissuaded, if there's compelling evidence that the allegations are fabricated somehow. 

Yes, that means I have a policy in my own mind that's akin to "guilty until proven innocent," but again, I have no influence over Avery Bradley's life.  But statistically speaking I am most likely surrounded by women in my day to day life of whom a significant percentage have experienced sexual violence.

[nickagneta]

My take on this is that there was clearly some interaction between this lady and Avery that Avery didn't want known. Also, the mention of not revealing any pictures or videos or other material regarding the interaction between the two in the confidentiality agreement, makes me think they exist.

What the interaction was and what's on those pics or vids if they exist, I have no clue and won't speculate. But given that negotiations hit as much as $400,000, a large some for someone making $8 million a year, suggests whatever it was was something that doesn't paint Bradley in a good light.

[KGs Knee]

I agree.

But the response should not be to inherently assume anyone accused is absolutely guilty.  That has very detrimental ramifications as well.

It is tricky, I agree.

Personally the way I look at it is, I can make a much bigger difference to the people who actually spare a moment to consider anything I say by demonstrating that I believe and support women who have experienced sexual violence.  Avery Bradley doesn't need my support.  He will be just fine regardless.

If we're talking guilt or innocence in a criminal context, or in terms of Avery keeping his job or his endorsement deals, there of course should be due process and a burden of proof. 

But in terms of me deciding whether or not to take news of allegations against a public figure seriously, I err on the side of assuming there is a good faith reason that the woman brought the allegation.  I try to keep an open mind to be dissuaded, if there's compelling evidence that the allegations are fabricated somehow. 

Yes, that means I have a policy in my own mind that's akin to "guilty until proven innocent," but again, I have no influence over Avery Bradley's life.  But statistically speaking I am most likely surrounded by women in my day to day life of whom a significant percentage have experienced sexual violence.

This is a measured thought process I am okay with.  I might vary from it slightly, but by and large agree.  I think it's possible to withhold judgment on a person, even socially, until their guilt is proven, yet also support anyone assaulted or harassed.

I just feel like enough people do not take this approach, and even fewer talk about it.

[RLewis35]

My take on this is that there was clearly some interaction between this lady and Avery that Avery didn't want known. Also, the mention of not revealing any pictures or videos or other material regarding the interaction between the two in the confidentiality agreement, makes me think they exist.

What the interaction was and what's on those pics or vids if they exist, I have no clue and won't speculate. But given that negotiations hit as much as $400,000, a large some for someone making $8 million a year, suggests whatever it was was something that doesn't paint Bradley in a good light.

It doesn't look good for Avery, that being said, he is a married man - so he would have reason to keep this quiet even if it was a completely consensual encounter.  Let's hope that is what happened.

[Forza Juventus]

Obviously we don't know what happened. He might have sexually assaulted her. He might have cheated with her. He might have done something weird/embarrassing/kinky etc. There are a lot of possible reasons for him to settle quickly especially if there is a video. Hopefully the allegations aren't true but we will probably never know.

[KGs Knee]

Obviously we don't know what happened. He might have sexually assaulted her. He might have cheated with her. He might have done something weird/embarrassing/kinky etc. There are a lot of possible reasons for him to settle quickly especially if there is a video. Hopefully the allegations aren't true but we will probably never know.

Honestly, the only thing I hope for is the truth and for appropriate justice.

It's not helpful to hope someone made a false claim.

[Forza Juventus]

Obviously we don't know what happened. He might have sexually assaulted her. He might have cheated with her. He might have done something weird/embarrassing/kinky etc. There are a lot of possible reasons for him to settle quickly especially if there is a video. Hopefully the allegations aren't true but we will probably never know.

Honestly, the only thing I hope for is the truth and for appropriate justice.

It's not helpful to hope someone made a false claim.

I don't think there's anything wrong with hoping someone wasn't assaulted.

[KGs Knee]

Obviously we don't know what happened. He might have sexually assaulted her. He might have cheated with her. He might have done something weird/embarrassing/kinky etc. There are a lot of possible reasons for him to settle quickly especially if there is a video. Hopefully the allegations aren't true but we will probably never know.

Honestly, the only thing I hope for is the truth and for appropriate justice.

It's not helpful to hope someone made a false claim.

I don't think there's anything wrong with hoping someone wasn't assaulted.

True.

But at the same time, if the person who may have been assaulted knows you hope they're wrong, that can pose a lot of problems.

[Forza Juventus]

Obviously we don't know what happened. He might have sexually assaulted her. He might have cheated with her. He might have done something weird/embarrassing/kinky etc. There are a lot of possible reasons for him to settle quickly especially if there is a video. Hopefully the allegations aren't true but we will probably never know.

Honestly, the only thing I hope for is the truth and for appropriate justice.

It's not helpful to hope someone made a false claim.

I don't think there's anything wrong with hoping someone wasn't assaulted.

True.

But at the same time, if the person who may have been assaulted knows you hope they're wrong, that can pose a lot of problems.

I agree but that's not what I meant.

[bdm860]

But given that negotiations hit as much as $400,000, a large some for someone making $8 million a year, suggests whatever it was was something that doesn't paint Bradley in a good light.

Could have just been a contract issue thing.  If I'm hoping to get $20m+ per next year, I'd spend $400k to keep a Duke-lacrosse-rape-case-like situation from being linked to my name.

Not saying that's the case here, but that seems like a possible scenario when I consider the high payout amount.  While "guilt" certainly is a reason, I think an upcoming potential big contract is one too.

[Neurotic Guy]

I agree.

But the response should not be to inherently assume anyone accused is absolutely guilty.  That has very detrimental ramifications as well.

One way to look at this is to rely on one simple premise: 

A presumption of innocence.

This can apply to both the accuser and the accused.  The accuser is not presumed a liar. The accused is not presumed a perpetrator.  The court of public opinion is often an underinformed or falsely informed courtroom.  We jump to conclusions based on all sorts of unknown, unrelated or correlated information. 

That said, when we accept two seemingly mutually exclusive presumptions, we might find ourselves where we probably should be: respectful, cautious, seeking clarification and waiting for sufficient information.  I don't want Avery Bradley to suffer if he's innocent, and I surely don't want any victim to feel they won't be heard and respected.   This requires us to postpone a rush to judgement -- unless the preponderence of evidence is clear and irrefutable.