Alleged Bill Cosby victim has connection to Colorado

A woman who has recently come forward alleging sexual assault at the hands of comedian Bill Cosby said their relationship started in Denver.

Barbara Bowman said she was a young, aspiring actor who was victimized by Cosby. In a story in the U.K. Mail, she said her family moved to Denver when she was young. She said she met Cosby at a nightclub when she was 17.

She said he promised to be her mentor and made an effort to see her when he would come to Denver. Eventually, he relocated Bowman to New York City and assisted in paying for her acting classes.

Bowman said Cosby took advantage of her vulnerabilities. She said he drugged and sexually assaulted her.

Allegations against Cosby surfaced nine years ago. He has never been charged with a crime.

Last week, his staff asked people on Twitter to “meme” the actor. It created a frenzy on twitter with people using Cosby’s pictures and coupling them with words like: “My two favorite things: Jell-O pudding and rape.”

In an interview with NPR over the weekend, the host asked Cosby about the allegations. Cosby remained silent.

Cosby’s lawyer later responded saying the comedian would not dignify rape allegations with a response.

Sexual assault survivor Doris Rivera-Black applauds women who have come forward for sharing their story.

“That takes a lot of courage because you know with that you are going to get a lot of people claiming that you’re lying,” said Rivera-Black.

Rivera-Black suffered domestic and sexual violence at the hands of her ex-husband. After she filed a restraining order, he kidnapped her at gunpoint outside her home.

“I knew I would receive a lot of questioning as to how this happened to me,” said Rivera-Black. “You’re left wondering, are people going to believe me?”

Now Rivera-Black is an advocate to end sexual and domestic violence and shares her story.

She works with an organization called TESSA. It helps victims of sexual and domestic violence.

TESSA’s spokesperson,Michelle Schaunaman, said survivors in this case face a huge challenge.

“I think it’s very difficult for victims to come forward when the person who is the perpetrator is so well known, is a public figure and everyone loves them,” said Schaunaman.

Bowman now works as an artist in Scottsdale, Arizona.