For those of you who have not heard, Brock Turner the famously infamous Stanford swimmer and rapist was released from prison three months early. That's right, a man convicted of three violent felonies is walking the streets after spending only three month behind bars. I. Am. Outraged. And I hate to say it but I'm not even outraged at the fact that he is a rapist. I am as angry with his crime as I would be at any other violent criminal. I am, however, outraged at the American justice system and I am outraged with Stanford University.
The American justice system allowed a man who is not even remorseful about his crimes walk out into the public knowing he would commit his heinous crime again. Only now he knows how to do it without getting caught. His victim barely even had time to cope with the event, but Turner is free to move on with his life. Prosecutors asked for six years, the judge sentenced him to six months, Brock Turner was released after just three months.
Stanford University has made such drastic changes to their alcohol policy in efforts to prevent sexual assault, but they do not seem to realize that alcohol does not cause sexual assault. Those who decide to commit the crime cause sexual assault. Those who choose to standby even though they notice the events occurring cause sexual assault.
This society is a breeding ground for sexual assault. We as a whole victim blame no matter what the situation is. This is not only heartbreaking but enraging. Women who are victims of sexual assault are deemed harlots, men who are victims of assault are deemed weak. But at the same time if victims decide not to report it's their fault too. There is no safe space for victims, but society makes sure perpetrators are welcomed with open arms. Lenient sentences for sexual assault are all too common and it's time for that to end. It's on all of us to prevent sexual assault. Don't allow another Brock-Turner-style case to happen.
