We live in a wonderful world full of amazing people and adventures or at least that is what I would like to believe. The sad truth of the matter is that we live in a time where we as a society have grown accustom to school shootings and university rapes. We place the action of consequence upon the shoulders of a judge, detectives, and experts, the people that we are meant to trust with our lives. The people that should present justice, but these people tend to fail us normal human beings. Most recently they have failed a young woman that simply wished to spend an evening with her sister. A woman that was stripped of her confidence, privacy, time, safety, and intimacy. A woman that the media say was sexual assaulted, yet the man behind the action faced a rather gentle consequence compared to the woman he raped.

I am no expert, but I am human and I am a woman, so for that reason I am deeply hurt and distraught by the recent actions of Judge Persky. The man who's jury found somene guilty, yet he only felt this unimaginable crime deserved 6 months in the county jail, compared to the 14 possible years. This judge felt as if prison would hold a rather severe impact upon this criminal. Well, my question would be, did this man think of the severe impact of rape upon this innocent woman? Or did the judge? I didn't think so. This is where the system fails us drastically. This article is in no way a news report, but instead a deceleration of my own feelings in hopes that my words will reach someone and provoke others to share their thoughts. Personally, I feel that we as women and people should shout to the rooftops in order for this victim to be recognized and for her attacker to be set to justice. Women all over the world should stand hand in hand and weep, as I have, for this strong and courageous woman who has spoken her peace and asked nothing of her offender, but an apology and admittance.

On January 17, 2015 a young woman suffered a severe loss that will forever hold a lasting impact upon her life. There will always be an unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach as she par takes in a social event where alcohol is present. There will never be a morning that she wakes up and does not remember that a stranger ripped away her sanity and self preservation. She may never feel secure taking an evening stroll or emptying groceries in the dark garage. She may never allow her own children to wander past the sidewalk or untwine their fingers from her own on their visit to the park or local market. Some choose to see that the monster also known as her attacker has lost his chance to be an olympic swimmer, but I choose to dig a little deeper and outside the box. I choose to see that the victims suffering and loss is much more harmful. She suffered internally, rather than materialistically.

I am not asking every individual to feel, think, and live my beliefs any anyway shape or form. That would simply be unrealistic, for the Lord has created each of uniquely. We all have different ridges, edges, and cracks, just as this innocent woman is much different than any other woman or her attacker is unlike the two brave souls that saved this helpless victim from what was sure to be something much worse as she lay naked, unconscious, and cold. I am asking my audience to pray for this woman as she fights and continues with an outstanding will to live. I am asking the women of the world to stand together and allow their voices to be heard. I am asking everyone to place themselves in her shoes.

I have never been placed in such a horrible situation, but I could have been. I have danced the night away at parties where the music was so loud that the house was bumping and the drinks were certainly flowing. I have worn tight jeans and lost track of my friends, though I thankfully have never been attacked or assaulted. So, I place myself in her shoes. I picture myself awakening in a cool hospital bed covered by a thin blanket. There is no one there to greet me with a warm hug or secure hand. There are still twigs in my messy hair and in my heart I know something is not right. I imagine myself examining my body after being poked and prodded by nurses and medical staff all day. What I can't imagine is how this woman carries on with her daily routine because I could not.

I leave my readers with one last thought. What if this woman was your daughter, wife, mother, or lover? What if this woman was your employee, friend, or neighbor? Would you care more? Would you fight for this victim if you knew her on a more personal level? The answer should be that we can and will fight for her regardless. I pray that we as a society will grow in love and educate women on today's mincing rape culture. I pray that we as women step up and gain a voice. I pray for this amazingly strong woman as she continues her battle every single day for the rest of her life. Lastly, though many may disagree, I pray for this woman's attacker. I pray that he will overcome his sins and gain forgiveness. I pray that the Lord will save his soul just as he has saved mine.