If you've been online in the past week and a half, you have seen the name and the face of an infamous young man and convicted criminal, Brock Turner. Brock Turner's Stanford rape case has been broken up into viral bits -- the emotional and moving letter from the victim, the horrifyingly aloof letter from his father, Turner's subsequent six-month sentence, Brock Turner's "lost" mugshot, a petition to recall Judge Aaron Persky. While viral articles and hashtag activism can make a conversation take off, it is important that it's not where conversation or action ends.
From his initial crime to the structural sexism, racism, and classism which spawned from the handling of the case, Turner's Stanford rape case has revealed a lot of ugliness that exists within our culture and judicial system, but berating Brock Turner has become the Internet's passion project of the week. Social media has done due justice in bringing this case to light and exposing Turner, but here is what college kids want you to know about rape culture on college campuses and the deeper issues of Turner's Stanford rape case.
The questions and answers below do not reflect the opinions of the author, but were crafted to develop a deeper conversation.
1. Are you aware of what I will refer to as the Brock Turner rape case? When/how did you hear about it?
Yes. I heard about a week ago. The first time I read about it was by reading the victim’s gut-wrenching statement on Jezebel. - Nicole, Ohio University / Undergraduate (alumni), Case Western Reserve University / Masters (current)
I have a vague understanding of it from various social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. It's become more apparent recently, I would say I'd heard of it about a week ago. - Coal, Ohio University / Undergraduate (current)
2. Have you read the victims statements (which can be read here)?
Yes - Unanimous
3. Do you view the young woman as a victim of rape, even though she was under the influence and the defendant never penetrated her with his penis?
Yes. I don’t understand, and will never understand why a woman’s alcohol use is questioned in terms of her assault. As for the latter part of this question, it’s concerning. This takes me back to the Steubenville rape case. What was so interesting, is that so many students view this video/pictures of this teenage girl being assaulted, penetrated, but it was digital penetration with the attacker’s fingers, not his penis. For some reason, this made them question whether or not this was rape. It is troublesome that we as a society look at types of assault and think, “Well, it was just his fingers.” I am fearful that we will come to a place where it will be just his penis. Assault is assault. - Nicole
The sexual advances were not consensual, therefore, yes. If this doesn't match the legal definition of rape, it should be considered sexual assault at the very least, warranting more than a simple six-month sentence. - Naomi, Georgia State University / Undergraduate (current)
4. Do you think Brock Turner's six-month sentence was fair? If not, does it reveal something about the sexist nature of our court system? The racial nature of our court system?
NO! Absolutely, once again, the courts have sided with a rapist over his/her victim. It’s despicable. In regards to Brock Turner’s case, it takes the phrase “Boys will be boys” to the judicial level. Frightening. As for racial, I absolutely believe that the color of Brock’s skin had something to do with his sentencing. A black man would not have gotten the same sentence, I truly believe that. Additionally, I would add that Brock Turner’s socioeconomic status also influenced the court decision. This man does not appear to be from a broken home (though if you read the statement his father released, you’d question the morality of his home life) he is white, from a good neighborhood, the “all-star” swimmer/Olympic hopeful, I could go on and on. If he was poor and from a broken home, I truly believe he would have gotten the max sentence. - Nicole
I do think that the six-month sentence is fair. Perhaps it could have been extended to a year, but no more than that. I say this keeping in mind that he also has three years of probation and he also must register as a sex offender. This a penalty and a punishment that will last an entire lifetime. He lost his college education and any good future for himself. He lost a reputation. He lost any respect as a human being. He will never be able to get a good job as a sex offender. Six months is enough time for him to be sexually assaulted in prison. It's a fair sentence given the circumstances. - Eli, University of Cincinnati / Undergraduate (Current)
I believe that the strong consensus here is that Brock Turner's sentence was nowhere near enough for what he has done to this woman. And I agree with that. The "white male privilege" phrase certainly may come into play. If the scenario was flipped in genders, I can't say necessarily how the outcome would have turned out, but it is clear that this man is escaping with much lighter consequences than what he deserves. However, if he weren't white? Yikes. - Coal
5. Is there a gray area in cases of rape or sexual violence, or is it black and white?
Very few things are black and white, I am slowly learning this as I delve into the field of social work. Sometimes, this includes rape. For instance, think of the scenario of a teenage boy who is 19 and his girlfriend is 16. Mom and dad are mad their daughter is having sex with this boy (a small age gap) they, legally in certain states, could call the police and say their daughter was assaulted via statutory rape. That is a very gray scenario. However, the majority of rape cases are very much black and white. This is especially true when someone is unable to give consent, much like in the Brock Turner case. - Nicole
Yes, there is a gray area, because in some cases the sexual action may be consensual by both parties but one may feel vengeful and falsely accuse the other of rape. - Naomi
Hm, I suppose I would say it is black and white because rape is rape-- it's as simple as that. Did the victim consent to being sexually penetrated? The answer is yes or no. Black and white. - Eli
6. How do you define consent?
This one makes me think. Consent is giving someone the permission to do something. It is not forced, it is mutual. - Nicole
Consent is being in a state where judgment is not impaired and saying oK to something. - Naomi
When an individual says yes, that is consent. When an individual says no, that is not consent. You may have heard the analogy, "Green means go, yellow means get ready to stop, and red means you stop," when referring to consent, and I completely agree with that. - Coal
Consent is giving permission verbally while in the right state of mind and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. I do have a separate opinion about the alcohol, but I do see a separate question for that. - Eli
7. Do you acknowledge rape culture as an actual concept that exists within our society? If so, what are your experiences you've had with rape culture or experiences you've witnessed happen to others? If not, please explain your thoughts on the concept and why it does not exist.
Yes, absolutely. To me, rape culture is worrying about walking to my car in a dark parking lot. Rape culture is texting my father or fiancé that I am taking a walk outside in case something happens to me. Rape culture is worrying about my drink at a bar. Rape culture is my dad teaching me at 13 at my first girl/boy party to not leave my drink unattended. Rape culture is construction workers thinking they have the right to yell sexually explicit things at me when I walk by. I was in Charleston, WV doing grant research with a friend. A group of male, blue-collar workers walk by us and one yells, “Baby, if he doesn’t wake up every morning next to you and kiss you, you oughta smack him!” Maybe he was trying to be nice, but when he is yelling this with a bunch of buddies behind him, egging him on, it doesn’t feel nice. Instead, I faced with men imagining me waking up in the morning. The worst part is that he assumed that I actually needed his compliment in order to feel good about myself, dare I say beautiful. Rape culture is a person like that assuming he holds the power to make someone feel XYZ about themselves by his comments. This is a small example. I am grateful that I have never been assaulted, I have never been asked by a cop if I have had too much to drink while I was raped, etc. But this scenario caused me to really think about the cause and effect of his comments. It’s a feeling I won’t ever forget. - Nicole
I do acknowledge it as a legitimate concept. Speaking as an individual whom has been fortunate to never experience these tragedies personally, but one whose friends have been victim to it, the reality of it all can be emotionally devastating. It can forever become a part of that individual's life; not a memory that's easily forgotten or repressed. - Coal
8. Do you think sexual violence, rape culture, and party culture are inherent to college life? How can practically address these issues?
Absolutely! You have these kids who are living under their parent's rules, some of whom have never had and free thinking freedom. Some of whom who have never had to do anything for themselves. Mix that with alcohol and ongoing parting, and long walks home to their dorms, things are bound to occur. - Nicole
Party culture is inherent due to the amount of freedom as opposed to high school and being under aged. I have no remedy for the current state of sexual violence. - Naomi
9. How do you think the party scene relates to sexual violence? Is it the individual's duty to be responsible while drinking / using other substances? Is there a way to minimize risk in inherently risky situations, or should that not be a point in the conversation of rape and sexual violence?
Where there is party there is alcohol, drugs, and bad judgment. I would love to tell my sister who is starting her freshman year 2+ hours from home that she can party without any consequences. I would love for that to be true, but that’s not life. When you are drinking you have to be responsible. We have made it so it is common knowledge to not drink and drive; unfortunately, the same isn’t taught about relationships. Only drink with people you trust-except most rapes occur by someone the victim knows. We have to be careful. I don’t want that to be a point in the conversation regarding sexual violence, but for right now it needs to be. Don’t leave your drink unattended. Keep track of how much you have had to drink. Walk in packs. Don’t trust strangers. It’s the juvenile things we are taught as children to be aware of the man with the white van with no windows whose puppy is missing…except the man is your acquaintance, and the puppy is a roofied vodka-cranberry. - Nicole
Is it the individual's duty to be responsible? Certainly. As can be said with almost anything in life. Is it their responsibility to not be raped? No. We shouldn't HAVE to teach people how to be safe. We SHOULD be teaching people not to commit these atrocities. Individuals like Brock Turner apparently prey on those under the influence. That doesn't mean it was her fault for drinking or partying. It shouldn't have happened, regardless of the factors. - Coal
Alcohol and drugs are often involved and everyone should be responsible while partaking in such activities however I'm not sure if that would decrease rape. - Naomi
10. If alcohol is an excuse or a factor for the plaintiff, is it an excuse or factor for the defendant?
I love this question. Both parties were drunk. People get drunk all the time. However, not everyone gets drunk and rapes people. The plaintiff didn’t go out and rape people. Every guy at that party didn’t rape someone. It is still a choice! It makes me wonder about the men who are so quick to assault at parties while under the influence of alcohol, hold concerning views of consent and assault when not intoxicated, or is it truly the alcohol that prohibits their morals from acting. I’d love to see research regarding this. - Nicole
If I ran outside and murdered the entirety of a frat house because I was drinking and so were they, does that make it okay? Can I get a sixth-month jail sentence? - Coal
11. Do you think the media and users of social media are handling the Brock Turner case fairly and appropriately?
Fairly and appropriately are not words I would typically use to describe the media. Sure Jezebel will write one article, and FOX news will cover the story one way, and then Nancy Grace will have something to say about it, etc. If anything, I hope this exposure makes his face known for some time. I hope this story keeps going so that the reality of the legal system decisions with victims of sexual assault will be scrutinized. At the same time, I wonder if the victim of this case is ready for this to die down. Who knows, time will tell. - Nicole
Whatever they do, it cannot equal the years that this man should have spent behind bars. - Coal
Social media users are appalled and rightfully so. In my opinion, this case is an issue of inequality in terms of race, wealth and gender. It shows how the legal system is more lenient on some groups as opposed to others. However, I admit to not knowing every detail about the case, and I'm sure that's the case for many people on social media. - Naomi
12. Do you think Brock Turner deserves forgiveness?
As a believer in Jesus Christ, I believe that everyone deserves forgiveness. At the same time, in order to receive forgiveness, one must first be sorry for their actions. That said, it is very clear that Brock Turner is not sorry for his actions (he has appealed his already lenient sentence) it is clear his family is not sorry for his actions (read his father’s statement). The only reason Brock Turner is sorry is that he is sorry he got caught. - Nicole
Forgiveness from who? If the legal system, that seems to already be the case given that it's possible that he'll be out by the time fall semester is starting. He doesn't deserve forgiveness because he severely damaged the life of another person. Her way of viewing the world will never be the same. I don't know her personally, but as a rape victim I'm using my personal experience as what I feel she is probably going through. - Naomi
Absolutely, we should always be eager to extend compassion and forgiveness to those in need, no matter how difficult that is. Humans need to unite in matters like this to prevent matters like this from happening in the future. - Eli
I do not know Brock Turner personally, nor do I want to. The question proposed of forgiveness is a difficult one, and I cannot say for certain, but he has apparently done everything within his power to get out of his punishment easily. The person that committed this act does not deserve forgiveness. The atoned person he may become? Potentially. - Coal
13. Should the goal with rapists (or any criminals) be persecution or rehabilitation?
This is a hard question for me to answer. As a social worker, I fight for the rights of all people. This includes rapists and pedophiles. To answer this, one would have to answer the age old question of “can people change?” I don’t know. I think in terms of sex offenders are registered, they will always be persecuted, even if they are rehabilitated. This is done in terms of where they can live, where they can work, and how their future partners will act. I do believe in second chances, but I am hesitant to do so with sex offenders. I can’t say a for sure one way or the other. I think I need to live more and gain better perspective. This is one of those gray scenarios. - Nicole
A combination of both. I don't know enough about psychology to know which one is more effective, but I do know that there are serial rapist, and in my honest opinion, no amount of rehabilitation would change them. - Naomi
Rehabilitation seems to be the ultimate goal when it comes to prison. I do not necessarily believe that one can rehabilitate the mind of a rapist, although. - Coal
Rehabilitation should always be the answer with criminals. If that doesn't work, then persecution. You can't save everyone. What needs to be done is preventing this sort of criminal behavior when the individual is a child. Some people just aren't taught how to be a decent human being. - Eli
14. Do you have any thoughts or comments you'd like to add?
Until we teach boys not to rape, and stop teaching girls to not get raped, things will not change. I think also that along with sex education, there needs to be included rape education. That way, we won’t have incidences like Steubenville where it was questioned whether or not the girl was really raped. WE have to make things better for our children. I hope in social work that I will be able to achieve this. - Nicole
One particular thing about this case, which made me want to vomit profusely, was the quote taken by the father. "Twenty minutes of action..." Does he have any idea how repulsive he sounds? Are you attempting to justify your son's actions with that? Twenty minutes of action could encompass almost anything. Your son could have flayed and skinned this woman alive in fifteen. - Coal
The Turner case is a bit distressing, not only because of Turner's action, but the judge's rationale for his light sentence. It's devastating to know that Turner's getting the length of a misdemeanor crime for rape. - Naomi
Turner isn't a good man and he is responsible for what he did while drunk. The victim is also responsible for getting drunk and letting this happen to herself. - Eli
We need to stop saying "what if she was your daughter/sister/mother, etc." We need to care because she is someone. She is a person who has been violated. That is not okay. - Nicole
What do you have to add to the conversation?
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, you can reach out to RAINN .
Thank you to Coal, Eli, Naomi, and Nicole for their voices, all others who participated in the interview, and al; of you who will continue to talk about these issues and demand change.
