For the past month, a major story has been hitting our social media platform. This is the story of the young woman who was raped at Stanford University. Of course, there are many possible reasons why this young man was given a short sentence for such a heartless crime. There are the opinions that he was let off so easily because he is a young white male and that he is also an athlete.
The rapist, Brock Turner, was originally sentenced to 14 years in jail, but his lawyer pleaded for six years. After some consideration, the judge offered a short six months and with good behavior only three to four months. The judge claimed he did this because he did not want to "ruin" Turner's life. But what about the victim, what about her life and how it is forever effected?
When this story first came about, the victim remained quiet for quite some time, then her personal statement of the attack was released. She gave very graphic details about the assault. Not only did she mention how Turner forced himself on her, but the moment she woke up in a hospital completely confused.
The next thing I remember I was in a gurney in a hallway. I had dried blood and bandages on the backs of my hands and elbow. I thought maybe I had fallen and was in an admin office on campus. I was very calm and wondering where my sister was. A deputy explained I had been assaulted. I still remained calm, assured he was speaking to the wrong person. I knew no one at this party.
The victim's letter to the attacker is completely heartbreaking. One is able to tell how this event, which lasted less than an hour, has completely ruined her life. She will forever be affected by this: having reoccurring nightmares of the event, panic attacks when around men, self-hatred, and possibly years of therapy. One man's pleasure has become a woman's biggest fear.
A really big reason why this has impacted myself is because of my past experience with sexual assault. I have had a close friend come in contact with this type of situation, and it was with her own boyfriend. Seeing someone you love and cherish fall apart because of a man's heartless act is one of the worst things to experience. You watch this person struggle day to day after the incident, and possibly still struggle even five years after the rape took place. The only difference with my friend's case is that she wasn't drunk, the man wasn't a stranger, and she did not go to the police.
Many women (and men) who have been sexually assaulted refuse to get help or go to police officials due to fear of judgement and that they will not get the help they truly deserve. Especially with this specific rape case, the victim did not get the help she truly needed or deserved. Yes, she was taken to the hospital, given a trial, and the man was given a sentence. But all he got was six months. And what happens when his sentence is over? Will he just go back out into society, go to a party, and do this to another helpless woman?
The victim spoke up, gave her story at the trial, and yet was unable to change the judge's mind. The way this case was handled is horrendous and is a big reason why the law system in America faces constant criticism. The victim's story deserves to be heard, not only across America, but the entire world.
