By now, I'm almost 100% sure that you have heard about the Stanford sexual assault case. The judge's reason behind his ruling, the headlines, the attacker's inadequate grasp of his actions: all of this is harrowing. I recently read the victim's letter to the attacker and cried from vexation and heartbreak. As I read her letter, plus another article, a lot of thoughts came to me. Here are 15 of my thoughts:
1. This woman is strong, reading this letter to her attacker.
2. The judge doesn't want this to have a SEVERE IMPACT on the attacker? What about her life?! All lives matter.
3. Wait...Did he get six months behind bars plus probation, or...? Actually, it doesn't matter. This is not okay.
4. It does not matter what she was wearing or how drunk she was. There is no excuse for what this boy did.
5. Oh my gosh, this girl. I want to hug her. Jesus, bring her comfort & give her strength.
6. This guy sucks.
7. So many bad words.
8. Jesus, bring your truth to this boy and his family.
9. Stop. Blaming. Alcohol.
10. You're being lenient because it was this guy's first offense? So what if it's his first offense? That should not matter. This is not okay no matter the number of offenses.
11. He wants to be a doctor...in 10 years? What about her life in 10 years!? This will be with her for the rest of her life.
12. To the attacker..you suck. You're a sucky person. I am so sorry that you can't and don't understand that you turned this woman's life and her family's life, upside down.
13. Again, alcohol is a factor, but should not be used as a reason or defense for this attacker. You did this.
14.12% of sexual assaults get reported. 12...percent.
15. We are with you (the victim).
Sure, there were things that this woman could have done to prevent this assault, but that does not make what happened her fault. It will never be her fault. It will never be anyone's fault beside the attacker's. The attacker is in the wrong. No excuses. I think that instead of being angry and full of hate, we give every victim of sexual assault and rape a voice, endless help and endless support. We pray for not only them, but also their attackers because they need help. I'm praying that this woman experiences healing and that truth is brought to the attacker. I'm praying that our world recognizes the seriousness of sexual assault and rape. In the words of the victim:
'The seriousness of rape has to be communicated clearly, we should not create a culture that suggests we learn that rape is wrong through trial and error. The consequences of sexual assault need to be severe enough that people feel enough fear to exercise good judgment even if they are drunk, severe enough to be preventative'.
Help lines:
National Sexual Assault Network
1-800-656-4673 [24/7 hotline]
http://www.pandys.org/crisissupport.html
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1.800.273.8255
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
