When I got to college, I knew what rape was. I knew about date rape drugs and how guys would take advantage of young freshmen like me. I was never by myself at parties. I always had one of my sisters by my side to look out for me. And I never took a drink from a guy. Unfortunately, a lot of girls don't have that kind of safety.
If you have a television or have been on Facebook, you know about the recent rape case of a Stanford student in the news. As details of the case are released, people, like myself, are pissed off at the justice system. From Brock Turner's lack of remorse for the victim to the light sentence granted by the judge. We have been voicing are outraged over how this case is an injustice. On June 9, Turner's sentence was shortened by three months. The next day, news emerged that he had sent nude photos of the victim to his friends. As more details of this case come to light, it makes me sick to my stomach that this monster didn't get the maximum sentence of 14 years.
Speaking from a college student's viewpoint, it's truly sad how the system deals with what "counts" as rape. They always try to make seem like it's the girl's fault when it's not.
They ask the same cycle of questions.
"What were you wearing?"
"How much did you have to drink?"
"Were you flirting at all?"
"Do you even remember what happened that night?"
Not trying to sound stereotypical but let's be voice: If this was a guy who was a different race or a regular guy on campus who didn't have an athletic reputation upheld, this case would've had a different outcome. I'm sorry but special treatment and privileges for guys like Turner are what prompt them to believe that they have power and that they can get away with what they want
Why do we always go through this cycle of rape culture instead of acknowledging what has happened. A young woman was violated while vulnerable, humiliated by her attacker and traumatized by an event that will never leave her memory. But she didn't keep quiet. She could've not reported it, She could've not gone to court. She could've not taken the stand and testify, but she didn't want to let Turner take away more from her. Her 12-page letter to her attacker has sparked a national conversation. The words not of a victim but of a survivor. Though she remains anonymous, we stand beside you and we are fighting with you.
People have voiced their opinions in order to spread awareness of stopping rape. High political figures such as Joe Biden have demanded that the court should overturn the "pathetic" sentence and that the judge, plus the court system, had failed terribly. A nationwide petition has been posted to remove Judge Aaron Persky from the bench and it's already gained over 100 MILLION signatures. The U.S. Swimming Events have banned Turner for life, so there's at least some well-established punishment being made.
See these guys here. These are the two students that did something. They stopped a rapist from his assault. They choose to take a stand instead of looking the other way. Let's make 1 out of 5 into 0 out of 5. We need to stop being silent and start taking action. When you see a girl passed out or dizzy, get her some water and stay with her. If you see a girl by herself with a guy, go and take her home, even if you don't know her. If you see a guy put something in a girl's drink, stop him and get the girl out of there.
This culture needs to end and we can do this by not staying silent in the crowd but to speak up and fight for the people who are silenced.
No means NO!
