( CNN ) -- By now , we have all heard the allegations made by numerous women that Bill Cosby sexually assaulted them . At least 15 have accused him of abuse , with the first incident in the late 1960s and the last in 2004 . While his attorneys have denied most of these assertions , Cosby has publicly refused to comment . In fact just a few weeks ago , Cosby not only declined to answer an Associated Press reporter 's question about the claims , he told the reporter that he would appreciate it if any reference to the allegations not appear in the story . So now what ? Well , it 's not likely Cosby will be criminally prosecuted . The only alleged incident that clearly falls within the criminal statute of limitations is the one involving Andrea Constand . That event purportedly took place in 2004 in Pennsylvania , a state that provides victims with 12 years to file a criminal complaint in sexual assault cases . But do n't count on seeing a criminal action . In part , because the prosecutor did n't find sufficient evidence to prosecute back in 2005 . In addition , Cosby paid an undisclosed sum to Constand in 2006 to settle the civil lawsuit arising from the alleged sexual assault . I can tell you as a former trial lawyer that that civil settlement would have , without a doubt , included a release by Constand of all claims against Cosby , including criminal . Cosby 's career has been deeply damaged by the ongoing scandal and he has been denounced pretty much everywhere . Is there something that he could do now that could persuade the millions of people who were once his fans to potentially see him again as a comedian , not as a serial rapist -- which is how I now see him ? I posed this question on social media : What do we want from Bill Cosby now ? The responses revealed an interesting cross section of opinion from men and women on all sides of the issue . And while they varied greatly , a common theme emerged . But before I mention that one , here are some of the often thought-provoking comments I received in response to the question . Nothing I suppose ... nothing he could say justifies anything he has done @ germanphile . ... He should 100 % retire so his victims never have to be reminded of his presence again @ sidra_zaidi . Want to hear how could criticize blacks for years knowing he had these demons in his closet ! @ ChrisAlanComedy : . Leave him alone . @ MLCzone . `` Make a massive donation to a rape prevention program . '' Comment on Facebook from Lynn Harris . If he 's guilty , which it seems that he is , then he deserves to go to prison for his crimes regardless of his age . @ wmzraz . `` He should apologize to his victims . Maybe pay compensation as well . '' Comment on Facebook from Basel Ammane . ... WE must turn tragedy into teachable moment . @ kthalps . Car battery , jumper cables and a narcoleptic switchwoman @ maverick_kris . These comments truly reflect the range of responses I received , with many advocating Cosby be imprisoned and a few defending him . But the most common reaction was this : . `` Tell the truth ! '' Comment on Facebook from Lala Elborno . Ownership ... and not just of stock in jello . @ EllieRFox . Acknowledge that even if you 're innocent , your silence is damaging everything you stood for , even the good things @ Brennanator . I would like him to address it and stop hiding . @ Rizo78 . It 's clear that people , regardless of where they stand on the issue , want Cosby to publicly and directly address the claims . After all , Cosby has made his living for decades speaking to the public as a comedian ; his silence adds to the sense that he 's hiding something . But this silence appears calculated . Perhaps he thought we would collectively move on when the next big story came along . Or maybe he banked on the fact that when three women came forward in the mid-2000s to make similar allegations of sexual misconduct , we simply did n't seem to care . Sadly , I was among those who did n't pay much attention . Silence this time wo n't work for Cosby . Already he has lost TV deals with NBC and Netflix . His reputation is in shambles . And while Cosby has escaped criminal prosecution , it 's clear that in the court of public opinion , many have found Cosby guilty . Will Cosby ever come forward and address the issues head on ? Unlikely . But the upside to this incident , if one can be found , is that the allegations have raised awareness about sexual assault . In fact , the Rape , Abuse & Incest National Network , an organization that combats sexual assault , said last Monday that the national publicity over the Cosby scandal has caused a 50 % increase in phone calls to the National Sexual Assault Hotline . It appears that the courageous women who have come forward with these allegations against Cosby have inspired other women to report sexual assaults that they have endured . And maybe , just maybe , the media attention concerning the allegations against Cosby will even save some women from suffering the same fate in the future .
Dean Obeidallah : Bill Cosby likely wo n't face charges in sex assault allegations . He asked on social media : What do we want from Cosby ? Some said give money to rape prevention programs , apologize , compensate alleged victims . Obeidallah : Unlikely Cosby will address the issue , but one good thing : Our awareness is raised .