Waldo

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July 22, 2003 -- Rape-victim advocates were outraged yesterday that Internet Web sites have identified the young woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.
"That's obscene!" said Jacqui Williams, director of policy of education for the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, when she viewed one sleazy Web site that contains personal information about Bryant's accuser.

"I think it's irresponsible. Unfortunately, I don't think there's any regulations against it."

Williams said publicizing personal information endangers the 19-year-old accuser, who said Bryant, 24, raped her June 30 when she went to his room in the posh Colorado hotel where she worked as a desk clerk.

"I would think if information about myself or anyone I knew was posted on a Web site, I would have some fears about my safety," said Williams, who believes the release of such information "revictimizes" the accuser.

One Web site carried the full name of the accuser, her home address in Colorado, phone number and e-mail address, and displayed photographs of her in social settings.

The Web site's address is being withheld by The Post.



While noting that he did not personally advocate printing the accuser's name and other information, David Brown, a St. Louis lawyer for the Web site, said its operators believed there were good reasons for doing so.

The Web site "is a news and entertainment web site devoted to disseminating fair, accurate and balanced information," Brown said. The site "firmly stands behind its constitutional right to disclose the name of Kobe Bryant's accuser. [The site] feels that the information is newsworthy, and serves a legitimate public interest."

Many mainstream media organizations know the accuser's identity, but have followed the usual practice of not naming an alleged sex-crime victim without her consent.

"I think it is particularly unfortunate in this case that they listed as much as what seems to be personal information," said Jamie Zuieback, spokeswoman for the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network.

Zuieback said that "making a rape report does not come easy," and that fear of being publicly identified is a key reason that the majority of victims do not report the crimes to police.

In the case of Bryant's accuser, "I think she seems to be very courageous to be willing to withstand this kind of

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both my car and my bike can ride on the rear wheel[s]
"Remember one thing, no matter how pretty she is, someone, somewhere, is tired of HER SHIT"