As many of you may have seen or heard in these past few weeks via social media, the news on TV or from word of mouth, America is currently setting its eyes on a major case: The Case of the Stanford Rapist. On June 3, 2016, Brock Allen Turner, a former All-American, and a member of the Stanford men’s swimming roster, received a six-month sentence following a conviction of rape in Jan. 2015. The Ohio native according to an article on whio.com, faced three felony charges (assault with the intent to commit rape, sexual penetration of an intoxicated person and sexual penetration of an unconscious person).
As the trial continues, many factors are bringing this case into the spotlight, unlike any other case we have seen. It is these factors that are revealing the current state of rape culture and the effect it has on college campuses. However, this is not something I can fully take credit for: in order to have greater insight, I have turned to my friend Allie. She is currently a collegiate student-athlete and has been a major competitor from a young age. She has found the experience to be rewarding for the many life lessons it provides both inside and outside of athletics. When not competing or in the classroom, she spends time promoting sexual assault awareness, speaking during sexual assault awareness month events at her school. So without further ado, together let’s review what makes this case a game changer and lessons can be learned:
1. Organizations are beginning to listen.
In this case, immediately following the charges made against Turner, Stanford swim coach Ted Knapp removed Turner from the men’s swim roster. Soon after, Turner withdrew from the research university, to which the administration permanently barred him from campus becoming ineligible to re-enroll. Earlier in the week, Turner has also been banned from competition by USA Swimming for life, the national governing body of swimming in the United States thereby making Turner’s chances compete for the organization in world championships and the Olympics virtually impossible.
“I think that that school did exactly what they should have done. There have been heartbreaking stories about victims who have to face their assailant for the rest of their college career and they live in fear the whole time. I think getting removed from both the school and the team may actually have taught the kid a lesson,” Allie said of the actions taken.
2. The People are capable of doing the right thing.
It is very likely that this would never grow to be the trial that it is without the help of two students who were cycling past the site of the rape, and took action once they noticed the victim was not moving. The duo pursued Turner and stayed by his side until authorities came onto the scene. These two gentlemen have set a tone that is incredible to see in a society that still suffers a conundrum of overlooking sexual assault.
“That's truly inspiring. I think that the girl was rescued by these two amazing people who are ones who go against the norm and realize the severity of the situation. Just because it is our culture to turn away and ignore the situation there are people like you and me, who would do anything to prevent something from happening. I believe that makes re people in the world shout be like those two cyclists and if the majority of the population becomes like that, then we would have less risk of rape, because the predators would no longer be able to get away with it,” said Allie.
3. It means more than people realize to be a college representative.
This is another important component, largely because of the previous point I had mentioned about Turner’s former status of the student athlete. Turner was once a major representative for the Cardinal as a student-athlete and had the potential to represent the United States internationally. Both organizations have banned him from representing them for life.
Allie agreed that the accountability needed on the part of student-athletes is crucial adding that “[it] goes to show that not only does it matter what you do in the pool (on the field, court, track...etc) but also outside as well. Student athletes need to realize that everything is intertwined and if you screw up in one area it will most likely alter or screw up the other areas in their life. And generally, lead to unwanted consequences”.
4. Everyone involved is hurting and will need time to heal.
Although the victim has become unwillingly involved in a life-altering moment, so have Turner’s parents. However, the means of how these two have expressed their thoughts and feeling could not be any more different. For instance, the letter the survivor wrote to be presented at court made many impactful points especially through the honesty and emotional rhetoric used. However, multiple people and groups have reached out and given her their support who have pledged their loyalty to her in this trial.
“The survivor will have a hard time, if her process is anything like mine then she will blame herself for a while and lose all confidence. It will be really hard to hear any joke about rape or rape culture. But if she has supportive people around her she will be listened to and then eventually helped. She will be able to grow past the event and embrace the women that she will become,” said Allie on what the survivor’s healing process may behold.
Many have criticized Turner’s father because he dismissed the repercussions of rape and has issued multiple justifications for why he does not believe his son should serve the jail time given. Although he expressed that his son still has a chance to become a great contributor in society, part of his healing will have to come from the fact that being a convicted felon limits what kind of work a person is capable of becoming.
When I asked Allie her thoughts on what that healing process may be like, she agreed that it will be difficult, largely in part “because he may never be able to get to the point of recovery. No one wants to hear that their [child] is a criminal. And no one wants to hear that they put harm on another person’s life. I'm sure the father is going through doubt. And I can't say I have any idea what that kind [of] doubt is, but if he is a good father, I believe that he will still be able to love his son and convince him that he made a huge mistake and teach him never to do it again.”
5. We are at a crossroads and it is upon us to decide for the future.
The reason it's important right now to bring this story to the foreground, is because Turner received a shorter sentence on June 3, 2016 based on arguments of his age (he is now 20), and his lack of a criminal record and the sentence therefore would have a "severe impact." There are now additional reports that state if he displays positive behavior his sentence could be minimized to three months. There have been many petitions to recall the judge who presided over the case, especially if he runs for re-election. While we are truly seeing a change in the way rape is handled, there is still far more to be done. This case shows us that we are currently heading in a positive direction, but only if we stay on track. As long as organizations, sports teams and administrators continue to take away privileges from those who commit these acts; as long as people are willing to step up and do the right thing rather than turn a blind eye; as long as people accept the responsibilities of being a part of something bigger than themselves and understand that everyone is hurting but will heal in their own way, we, as a people, can change the way rape culture is viewed.
We, as a society, should not turn a blind eye. The future can start now. So long as we stand, not only for this particular victim, but for every other victim who comes into the spotlight because of a rape case in the future, we can create a culture that is proactive and ends the violence. That is the type of culture I want for myself and for the generations to come.
