Staff from the Sexual Assault Response Team at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital Available for Interviews

Closed pretrial hearings are underway in the Kobe Bryant case to determine whether the sexual history of the woman who accused him of rape can be used at trial. Staff from the Sexual Assault Response Team at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital are available for interviews for your coverage of the ruling, which is expected this week.

Colorado’s rape shield law usually protects alleged rape victims from having to reveal their sexual history. But District Judge Terry Ruckriegel decided in March to allow the pretrial questioning in closed sessions. Bryant’s attorneys indicated in court documents that they planned to introduce evidence about the woman’s alleged sexual activity to cast doubt on her credibility.

“I feel strongly that the Rape Shield Act should protect victims of violent crimes, and that their past rarely has bearing as to the commission of a violent crime, said Shelley Botello, RN, CA SANE, program coordinator. “We are battling societal myths and stereotypes that act as distracters to the real issues in dealing with sexual assault.”

Bryant who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, was charged with felony sexual assault after the woman told authorities he attacked her last June 30 at a resort near Eagle, Colorado, where she worked. Last week, the judge ruled that the medical and psychological history of the woman will not be admissible at trial.

During 2003, the Sexual Assault Response Team at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital conducted exams on 682 patients. The youngest survivor cared for at the hospital was 12 years old and the oldest, 90 years old. The highest number of cases occurred in the 17- to 28-year-old age group. Patients came from 120 different zip codes with 34% of the patients living in 11 of those zip codes.

If you are interested in setting up an interview, please phone Shirley Wills at 822-2378 or 365-4488(cell) or JoAnn King, 575-0171 or 917-7916 (pager). On April 29, Botello will attend the Victims Rights March, which starts at San Fernando Cathedral at 12:50 p.m., and she is available for interviews at the time. Please look for the Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital banner that will be displayed on site.