George Washington University voids Bill Cosby`s honorary degree

Johannesburg: George Washington University has recently announced that it will revoke the honorary degree that was awarded to Bill Cosby in 1997, saying the debate over the honour was creating trauma for sexual assault victims.

Previously the university said that it never took back honorary degrees based on information that came to light later, reports News24.com.

But the debate over the subject continued on campus, and the university's president Steven Knapp said in a statement that he was persuaded by those who voiced ongoing concerns about the honour.

It is being said that the 78-year-old comedian will be formally notified about this.

Cosby was charged in December with drugging and sexually assaulting a woman at his Pennsylvania home in 2004. Dozens of other women have accused the comedian of sexual assault or attempted molestation and he faces several lawsuits.