A Letter To All Those Enraged By The Stanford Rape Case
Start writing a post
Politics

A Letter To All Those Enraged By The Stanford Rape Case

One in five is too many.

7
A Letter To All Those Enraged By The Stanford Rape Case
Google Images

Dear mom, sister, wife, brother, husband, cousin, aunt, uncle, grandmother, grandfather, classmate, neighbor, co-worker, coach, teacher, community leader, the list goes on....

It's disgusting. I agree. I couldn't express how ultimately disappointed I was with our legal system in this case. I could not put into words the feeling of disgust I have when I see forums on Reddit in support of Brock Turner, as if he is the true victim in this case. If there is anything he is the victim of, it's falling under the false impression that alcohol and the "college scene" are the true motivators behind sexual assault. There are a variety of theories that have been discussed and analyzed by news media outlets as to what went wrong in this case. The unknown woman who has bravely addressed her assaulter released her statement for the world to see, and hopefully, gain some perspective from. Brock Turner's own father released a statement in defense of him, hoping others would gain perspective from it as well.

What I have to say to those who feel either connected to this case through personal experience, or simply because they themselves could be a statistic, which is 1 out of every 5 women, or know someone dearly who could be harmed in such a way is...

Do something.

For example, educate yourself with the facts.

  1. One in five women (20 percent) will be sexually assaulted while at college while only 4 percent of college men will be sexually assaulted. You can make a difference: take photos to share resources with sexual assault survivors. Sign up for Support for Survivors.
  2. Most college victims are assaulted by someone they know.
  3. 42 percent of college women who are raped tell no one about the assault.
  4. It is estimated that only 5 percent of sexual assaults on college campuses are reported, making sexual assault the most underreported crime.
  5. Rape results in about 32,000 pregnancies each year.
  6. 4 out of 5 rape victims subsequently suffer from chronic physical or psychological conditions.
  7. 40% of rape survivors develop sexually transmitted diseases as a result of sexual assault.
  8. Campus perpetrators are often serial offenders.
  9. Over a third of women who are raped as minors are also raped as adults.
  10. Rape survivors are 13 times more likely to attempt suicide than are people who have not been victims of a crime.
Statistics provided by dosomething.org

Spread Awareness. Not talking doesn't help. Shoving this reality to the side isn't going to bring the percentage of women, and men, assaulted down. By not instigating a conversation, we don't allow room for growth, but rather give perpetrators room to commit such heinous crimes.

Teach the men and women in your life to never fear feeling shame or embarrassment from being assaulted. Let them know they have trustworthy people to reach out to and count on. Teach them never to blame the victim and to understand consent once and for all.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

39107
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

23624
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949837
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

128026
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments