That girl is someone’s daughter, girlfriend, sister, but most importantly she is someone. She, like most Americans, grew up to believe that the American Judicial System would protect her if she ever needed it to. She believed that men like you would separate right from wrong, defending the innocent and punishing the transgressor. But you have failed her. Actually, you have failed every woman, man, and transgender American citizen who had once trusted the justice system to protect them because you chose the rapist and not the victim.
Brock Turner was charged with the intent to commit rape of an intoxicated/unconscious person, penetration of an intoxicated person and penetration of an unconscious person. Prosecutors involved with this case believed that 6 years in a state prison should have been the punishment suitable for his crime. The punishment you gave Turner, though, did not reflect this general consensus . You sentenced Turner to six months in jail, six months- for stealing a lifetime of peace from innocent women. In what twisted world does that make sense in?
In the attempt to defend your decision you stated that "A prison sentence would have a severe impact on him" Want to know who has already been severely impacted? The girl found unconscious behind a dumpster. Like Turner’s father, you probably believe that the remorse Turner feels is a punishment in itself. Being sorry isn’t enough, though. If I was mean to my brother when I was little I would say sorry and I’d feel bad but I would still have to sit in time-out. Different situation but the same principles apply. Turner isn’t the victim, he doesn't deserve to be coddled by you.
He assaulted an innocent woman and for that, he should face a sentence worthy of the gravity of this offence. By letting Turner off so easy you're not only letting the attacker win but you are also discouraging victims from coming forward. You’re teaching girls to stay quiet rather than speak out, because if they do the pain of going through it all won't be worth it in the end. You are defending America’s growing rape culture when you should be defending America’s judicial integrity. How are women supposed to walk alone when the courts aren’t even there to protect them from things that go bump in the night?
You say that Turner “will not be a danger to others” leading me to ask; What evidence do you have to support this concept that he is not a danger? He has never committed a known crime before and apparently that’s enough proof for you to claim that he will never do this, or any other violent act, again. You’re an educated man Mr. Perksy, in fact, you’re also a Stanford man, so it must be clear to you that the fact that Turner had no previous criminal infraction does not mean that he will commit more in the future.
Brock Turner was a Stanford athlete just like you were. Doesn’t it bother you to think that horrible thing like sexual assault and rape are occurring right on your alma mater's campus? A campus that I’m sure you once felt safe and at home on. Because, unfortunately, it appears that you aren’t understanding what this case means. It is just no piece that fits into a growing national problem, Mr. Persky. Rape is so prevalent in our society that lawmakers like you are seemingly growing numb to it.
Did you know that one of the first things my college taught me during orientation was how to give proper consent? Do you even realize how necessary that information is in this generation? People like Brock Turner have forgotten that no means no and instead view intoxication as an invitation. College campuses have turned into hunting grounds. Those blue lights littered across campus are not for decoration there to protect students from people like Brock Turner.
What if it had been your daughter, niece, sister, wife, mother, or aunt found behind that dumpster? Would you have settled on a different verdict? I believe that you would have and that is the biggest problem I have with your ruling, Mr. Persky. You, along with every other judge, should treat each victim as they should be treated. That girl should have been protected, you could have done that. But instead, you have taught not only the victim in the Brock Turner case but all survivors that if you come forward and press charges, the odds are not in your favor.
You chose to defend the assailant, rather than defend the victim which makes you a bad judge. What’s even worse is a man, who consciously chose to disregard the well-being of a vulnerable, hurt women and that, that makes you a bad person.
