On the night Jan. 17, 2015, two graduate students at Stanford University found a freshman raping an unconscious woman behind a dumpster.
Over a year later the rapist has been identified as 20-year-old Brock Allen Turner and has subsequently been charged with three counts of sexual charge which would land him in jail for 14 years. There are a bunch of different parts to this story, from the rapist’s father calling the rape itself "20 minutes of action, the letter written to Turner by the rape victim herself, to news outlets refusing to call Turner a rapist (which is I have taken the liberty of making sure everyone reading this knows exactly what he is). With new information coming out every day, going into the small details wouldn’t be any good.
There are two things we know here for sure:
Brock Turner is a rapist
Brock Turner raped a woman while she was unconscious
Despite the jury suggesting six years, the judge presiding over the case Aaron Pensky sentenced him six months. Claiming that anything longer would "have a severe impact on him". But as of writing this, the sentence has been reduced to four months due to "automatically applied credits for good behavior". Along with being held in an area away from the general prison population and being allowed to have a cell phone.
This case is rape culture at his finest.
Brock Turner was an amazing swimmer. So amazing, in fact, he had a chance to go to the Olympics and really make a name for himself. He went to Stanford, so we know he was also fairly smart. These factors, amongst others, were enough to protect him so he would still have a chance to make a name for himself one day.
This case is a lot more than a light sentencing or a prime example of what being privileged can do to you in this country. Brock Turner did not know the victims name, could not pick her out of a lineup, and had no interactions with her that night prior to her rape. But still, somehow, she was asking for it.
By Thanksgiving, Brock Turner will be sitting with his family back in Ohio, and they’ll be telling him how much they missed him and how happy they are that he’s finally back home. In 3 years, he’ll be off probation, and although it was inconvenient he’s glad that phase is over. Sure he’ll have to register as a sex offender every for the rest of his life, but as long as he doesn’t move around too much it won't be too bad.
But as for the victim, her life is changed forever. In her own words, she can’t eat, she can’t sleep, and she can’t even do so much as exist without living in constant fear. The actions that happened the night of Jan. 17, 2015 will become part of her own identity. During the trial, she was completely dehumanized. Reduced to nothing but a promiscuous, alcoholic girl that got what she was asking for her. But this is nothing compared to the fact that poor Brock Turner doesn't like to eat steak anymore.
In some way, this case may be a thing we need. Something to get the ball rolling on a long overdue conversation about rape and sexual assault. Rape is a very real issue that needs to be dealt with as seriously as the act is. Judge Aaron Pensky giving such a light sentence to benefit Brock Turner is essentially green-lighting the boys of America to do as they please.
To the victim, I am so sorry that you are living in a world that refuses to even respect the one thing that completely belongs to you. Whoever you are, wherever you are, I hope you find peace.
