I know multiple people have written something on the recent Stanford rapist. I’m not here to address only him or the victim, but everyone who has learned about this horrible accident.
To the rapist, you are a rapist. Point blank and simple. You committed an awful crime on someone who could not even do anything about it; she could not defend herself. You cannot blame anyone but yourself. Party life has nothing to do with it. I believe I can speak for a lot of people across the United States, and the world, when I say this: I have been to a party and no one has been raped. Party culture has nothing to do with your mindset. You went to a party and took advantage of an unconscious woman; that is rape. Of course your life is going to be affected because that is what happens when you commit a crime. Own up to your actions and take every consequence that comes your way. You are a coward; you always will be.
To the victim, I am so sorry you have to be reminded of what has happened to you. It’s heart breaking to see that he only has 6 months and is being looked at like some poor child who broke a window rather than invaded your life in the worst ways possible. I'm sorry that nothing in this entire world will ever make this go away; I wish it could. It's gut wrenching to see that people are trying to say that it wasn't his fault when they should be telling you it wasn't your fault. It wasn't your fault and it never in a million years will be. He is a pig and coward and I pray one day you can find peace in this world.
To everyone reading this, we all need to make a change. Rape culture is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen. As young girls growing up, we were always taught to never walk alone, to never say no to a man because of what might happen to us after. Some even go as far to say it is our fault we are raped because of our wardrobe. This happens in schools as well. Girls cannot wear tank tops or shorts because "it will distract our male classmates". My high school said our backs could not show. I never knew that my back affected what was being taught that day. Instead of teaching people ways to avoid being raped or assaulted why not teach people NOT TO RAPE. If someone surveyed America asking when "rape is okay" I can almost guarantee that the results will be horrifying. Rape is never okay and it never will be. It makes me sick knowing rapists do not serve full time or get an easier sentence or even released early because of "good behavior". If they had good behavior to begin with they would have never ended up in jail or prison in the first place. Lately, this world has made me sick. It is never the victim's fault as to why he or she has been raped. It's saddening to know how many victims are scared to come forward because no one will believe them. Yes, they are cases where people will lie about being raped, but that should hold to a very high standard when it comes to punishment as well. It is illegal to file a false rape accusation. If this generation I am apart of does not do anything to change the world, the world will never change.
To any rape victim out there, male or female, I am so sorry that has happened to you. I hope you found a way to cope with what happened to you. I hope that you have the same mindset as me and want to make a change in this world. I pray you were brave enough to tell someone what happened to you and that the person is doing time. I'm so sorry you have to see someone so disgusting get off so easily when it comes to the criminal justice system.
I hope one day we can make a change in this world.