As of late August, convicted child molester Joseph Presley was sentenced with a mild vacation of serving 30 days in prison after pleading guilty to molesting an eight-year-old on two separate occasions. Not only does this sentence seem COMPLETELY disproportionate to the crime committed, but expertly highlights just exactly what is wrong with the American justice system. From judges protecting Brock Turner's "college experience," to Stanford covering up countless reports of rape, it is clear that the judicial system has deemed crimes of sexual nature unimportant and irrelevant.
The disgusting fact of the matter is that one in five college students will experience some type of sexual assault during their academic career (Center for Disease Control). One in five women will experience the pain, guilt, and shame that society has deemed a "normal" part of life. It is estimated that out of 1,000 rape cases, 994 suspects will walk free. Somehow America still has not gotten through its sexist and masochistic mind that rape cultural not only exists, but breathes.
Rape cultural (however frequent the term is used) is when I walk down the street and am whistled at by men who think it is perfectly acceptable to comment on my ass before my mind. Rape culture is me being asked what I was wearing because my body may cause others to stumble. Rape culture is the sickening reality that I look over my shoulder walking down the street and check the back seat of the car because I was conditioned to remember that I am a target. I am not a target. At least I shouldn't be.
Perhaps what angers me more than my own personal struggle with sexual violence is the stories I hear from women whose tears reflect my own. Time after time I am met with young girls who have experienced sexual assault and refuse to report because they are told that this is a "normal" part of life. Since when did society replace rape with writing down crushes' names in notebooks?
Not only has the justice system completely ignored sexual assault, but furthered the issue by telling the general public that "you can get away with it too." The sentences for crimes, sexual in nature, are simply not strict enough. 30 days for sexually abusing a child is disgusting and insulting to the victim. The major problem stems from the justice system telling young girls to carry pepper spray and hope for the best, while telling men they have a right to sex. You have the right to freedom of speech. You do not have the right to touch my body without my consent. What would happen if a dramatic shift in American culture occurred; telling women they are worthy to be protected?
