The burning statement that a Stanford woman reads to her rapist in court goes viral—as it should
(her letter is incredibly powerful--please read in its entirety at the link below)
The burning statement that a Stanford woman reads to her rapist in court goes viral—as it should
In March, a former Stanford University student was convicted and sentenced for raping and sexually assaulting an unconscious 23-year-old woman. The rapist is a “champion swimmer,” and was an Olympian hopeful — who got off easy.
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The crime took place back in January 2015. Two Stanford University graduate students were biking across the campus when they saw a young man “thrusting his body on top of an unconscious, half-naked woman behind a dumpster.” The bikers were able to stop the crime in action, then tackle the attacker after he ran away. A little over a year later, a jury found Brock Turner, 20, guilty of three counts of sexual assault. He faced a maximum of 14 years in state prison. But instead, he was sentenced to six months in county jail. When you can afford an expensive team of attorneys, expert witnesses and private investigators things can often work in your favor.
Many agree with Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen who felt the sentence handed down by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky, was “disappointing” and said Turner should have been sent to prison.
"The punishment does not fit the crime," Rosen said in a statement. "The predatory offender has failed to take responsibility, failed to show remorse and failed to tell the truth. The sentence does not factor in the true seriousness of this sexual assault or the victim’s ongoing trauma. Campus rape is no different than off-campus rape. Rape is rape. And I will prosecute it as such."
On June 2, 2016, the victim addressed her assailant directly in court with a statement published in the Santa Clara District Attorney’s office. Katie J.M. Baker with BuzzFeed published the statement and it has garnered over 4 million views in two days — and it’s every bit worth the entire read. The account is one many will never forget and reads as if you are there with the victim going through each raw and riveting emotion. The victim begins by addressing the judge, then directly her words toward her rapist: (Warning: the disturbing content may be an emotional trigger for some.)
. . . .
Brock Allen Turner’s father also wrote a statement to the judge and it reeks of an American rape apologist who sees his rapist son as the victim. Because this is how we often roll in America when it comes to sexual assault.
. . . .
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/6/6/1534962/-The-daunting-and-powerful-statement-a-Stanford-victim-reads-to-her-rapist-in-court-goes-viral?detail=email&link_id=6&can_id=da4156c5f19300febaca3a0dcad12608&source=email-the-dumbest-man-in-congress-proves-his-ignorance-once-again&email_referrer=the-dumbest-man-in-congress-proves-his-ignorance-once-again&email_subject=the-dumbest-man-in-congress-proves-his-ignorance-once-again