Domestic abuse is inexcusable. There is never any reason for aggressive behavior. It's a disgusting act of inhumanity. All we ever see in the news today are violent crimes and rape cases. I think it's what I have gotten used to hearing about. These heartbreaking stories would flood my news feed, and sometimes I would just continue to scroll past. I've become numb.
The Brock Turner rape case has recently blown up. It's been covered by every news outlet and has been all over the media. It's a story that has opened my eyes again to the unbearable world we live in that we just cannot escape from. This is a story that victimizes the alleged attacker rather than the actual victim.
Brock Turner, a 20-year-old former high-level competitive swimmer from Stanford University, was found guilty of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman behind a dumpster one night in January of 2015. California judge, Aaron Persky, made the insulting decision of giving Turner only a lenient six month jail time sentence. This story has ignited a heated worldwide discussion on parenting, women's rights, and the legal system treatment of white middle-class men.
Dan Turner, the defendant's father, submitted a four page statement that stated a long term sentence would be a "steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action out of his 20 years of life", even though his son was found guilty of three felony sexual assault charges by the jury. His son made the conscious decision of raping an unconscious woman and yet he thinks his son isn't deserving of a fair punishment? Why is this man downplaying his son's crime?
Dan Turner,
I encourage you to imagine looking into your own daughter's eyes after she was raped, and telling her "it's okay, honey. It was only 20 minutes of action." Dan Turner, you should feel ashamed of yourself.
Judge Aaron Persky defended Dan Turner's ridiculously ignorant statement, saying that a longer sentence would have a "severe impact" on Brock Turner's life. What about the victim? This woman will live with this pain for the rest of her life. Take into account the severe impact that night will have on her.
During Brock Turner's sentencing, the victim addressed the defendant directly saying, "You don't know me, but you've been inside of me, and that's why we're here today." She went on further saying, "You took away my worth, my privacy, my energy, my time, my intimacy, my confidence, my own voice". For those of you who have not read the victim's powerful letter to her attacker detailing the severe impact the assault had on her, I encourage you to do so.
As for judge Persky, you sir, are at the center of it all. Persky said he took Brock Turner's age and lack of criminal activity into account. But in the eyes of the rest of the world, it's clear to see there's much more. Aaron Persky is a graduate from Stanford and was an athlete himself. Sparks interest? Why is the legal system extremely unjust towards white middle/upper-class men? This case exemplifies white privilege. His achievements, education, and athletic career should not be defining who Brock Turner is. Brock Turner is a rapist!
Brock Turner is a criminal who committed a heinous act and does not deserve to be put on a high pedestal. The world is outraged demanding justice. If women are vulnerable, it is only because they have been made vulnerable.