UPDATE: Councilmember James, Coalition Encourage DA to Proceed With Case for DSK Accuser

Lawyers for Nafissatou Diallo, the 32-year-old Guinean housekeeper who on May 14 accused IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault, received a letter on Saturday from the Manhattan's District Attorney's office requesting a meeting.

The next scheduled court appearance is Tuesday, August 23, 2011. However, lawyers for Diallo are now worried the DA's office plans to drop the criminal case against Strauss-Kahn, following highly publicized information from alleged sources negatively painting Diallo's motives that have compromised her case.

Today, from 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Council member Letitia James, along with Sonia Ossorio, executive director for the National Organization for Women (NOW), and several other women advocacy groups will gather on the Manhattan courthouse steps for a press conference urging the District Attorney to proceed with the case.

“This case is being tried in the media, when it should be decided in a court of law,” said Council Member Letitia James. “It is imperative that public opinion and spin not take attention away from the heinous nature of the crime Ms. Diallo has alleged was committed against her.”

On May 19, Mr. Strauss-Kahn was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on seven criminal counts, two of which are first-degree criminal sexual acts. His bail was set at $1M, with additional 24-hour home detention and an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet. After Mr. Strauss-Kahn turned over his passport and posted an additional $5M bail bond, he was placed under house arrest in Manhattan.

However, as these events unfolded, unnamed sources began leaking to the media information that depicted Diallo as a liar, a prostitute, a con artist who lied on her application for asylum in the United States by describing a false gang rape in Guinea.

Then, on July 1, Manhattan District Attorney prosecutors called a special hearing citing credibility issues in regards to Ms. Diallo’s background. Strauss-Kahn was released on his own recognizance. He was arraigned on June 6, and pled not guilty to the charges against him.

The coalition of women's advocacy groups and other elected officials says Strauss-Kahn's wealth and visibility and social stigmas against rape victims and poor women have served to promote a victim-blaming mentality in this case. The coalition also questions the legitimacy of the "alleged sources," and says it should have no baring on whether the case continues.

“Nafissatou Diallo deserves her day in court,” said Ossorio. “Despite all the lies, innuendo and slander directed towards her, her allegation is credible. We urge the District Attorney to proceed with this case. Let a jury— not a media circus— decide Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s fate.”

According to the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault, false accusations of sexual assault are extremely rare. Women are more vulnerable and at greater risk for victimization and exploitation, due to factors such as immigration status, isolation, cultural and language barriers.

“Victim blaming is a common defense tactic, and the risk is significantly higher in a high-profile case like this one," said Cathleen Cogswell, interim executive director of NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault. "We know there is no right way to act after a sexual assault. We stand in solidarity with Ms. Diallo and all victims of sexual violence.”

Other organizations represented at the press conference include, New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, Connect NYC, Younger Women's Task Force, Women, Action and the Media (NYC Chapter), Mount Sinai’s Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program (SAVI)/ Downstate Coalition for Crime Victims, Sister Song NY, Coalition To Support Sexual Violence Victims and Survivors, Trust Black Women, Permanent Wave, Feministing, Hollaback!

UPDATE, Monday, 8/22/11, 4:00pm: According to Reuters, the Manhattan DA's officed asked a judge to dismiss sexual assault charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn today after losing confidence in the witness testimony of their client Nafissatou Diallo.

Strauss-Kahn still faces a civil lawsuit that Diallo filed against him on August 8 and a complaint from a French writer who said he tried to rape her during a 2003 interview.

According to Aja Worthy-Davis, policy and legislative aide, the 5:00 press conference will still take place.