I am so sorry that you had to experience something this traumatizing. I wish that it didn’t have to be you, or anyone for that matter. I wish that I could take your pain away and make things better than they are. I want to tell you a few things that can help you come to terms with this. I know that your life will never be the same, but you are strong and you survived. You can do this.

You are so brave for stepping forward and voicing how this has affected you. Many victims and survivors do not come forward because they are often afraid and worry what will happen. You are creating such an impact with your voice. Your letter has shed light on how sexual assault truly does change someone.

Your voice has led to millions standing behind you on this case. You are one brave soul to come out and state how this has affected you. The strength you are showing throughout this whole case, even while remaining anonymous, is truly incredible. By staying anonymous, you are even making an impact because other sexual assault survivors can relate to your story. That is truly courageous. You and every other sexual assault victim deserves justice. Our justice system was meant to be clean cut and dry, and yet why are people receiving shorter sentences than they should? Why is there inequality between people who committed the same crime? You deserve justice. You and every other sexual assault victim and survivor do.

I know that this will change your life. I know that you will never be able to feel safe and to truly feel okay after this. I wish I could help. I want you to know that you have people who are here to support you. There are millions of people who know that you deserve justice and that Brock Turner deserves to rot in jail like every other rapist deserves to.

Do not feel like this is your fault. Rapists are the ones that rape. What he did to you is 100% his fault. He was in control and you were not. Consent was never given. You were unconscious. Some people just do not understand that consent is NECESSARY.

You are strong, courageous, and brave for sharing your story. You deserve justice, and he deserves to rot in jail. From here, all you can do is work on you. Work to move on and find the happiness that you deserve. Try your best not to let this haunt you. I know that this dramatically changes your life. I wish it didn’t happen to you or to anyone. Be in control. Use your story to make waves in today’s society. Your story has impacted millions. Not many can say that. You are continuing to change the world with your story. You can get through this. You have support and the people who care about you. What he did is not something that can be changed, but you can change. You can do your best to move on and continue to spread the word that this is an issue.

You survived, remember that, and I hope you continue to stay strong and brave throughout this and with the rest of your life.

Stanford Victim’s Letter