Dear Stanford Victim,
It was about one week ago when I woke up and read the sentencing for Brock Turner. Six months with probation for sexually assaulting you. I was infuriated reading through the headlines, pleas from Brock's friends and family, and the statements from the bike heroes at the scene.
Eventually, I came across your letter to Brock. I was sobbing -- sobbing for you and sobbing for every other woman out there who has fallen victim to this crime. There were three counts of sexual assault that Brock was found guilty for, and apparently the court system thinks six months behind bars will set him straight.
Let's state the obvious. Any man who thinks it's a turn-on for a woman to be laying unconscious, giving no reciprocation for the acts that he is engaged in, is sick. That is a personal issue that no one person had to teach him. He had it in him for his entire life. In nice terms, it's a character flaw. In the terms I wish to use, this article probably wouldn't be able to be published.
Let me also be clear, I am not blaming anyone besides Brock himself. The problem with this 20-year-old is that instead of taking responsibility for his horrible moral values, he decided that he would blame the alcohol. How convenient.
Now, to you, the victim herself. Brock built those four walls of his jail cell the second he had the thought to violate you. And after his six months are up, those four walls are going to follow him in every step he takes for the rest of his life.
In your letter, you wrote that you are aware that there are good people in the story, good people out there in the world. Heroes are what you used to describe the boys on the bicycles. And let me add that you yourself are also a hero.
Anyone who can stand up in front of the boy who assaulted them and be utterly and completely honest with her words is someone who deserves recognition.
Anyone who decides to describe the hardships, terror and recount the acts committed that you have experienced and are still experiencing from this act, deserves recognition.
Anyone who can say that she fought for herself and every other woman out there to be heard, deserves recognition.
You built a voice for every woman out there who hasn't spoken up about their assaults. You gave a voice to every woman out there who has told someone about their assault and hasn't gotten justice for it.
When the dust settles from the trial, I hope you can look in the mirror and still see the amazing, respected, beautiful, inspirational woman that we all perceive you as. I support you. Speaking for every other woman in America who has heard about this case, we support you. You were right in your letter: you are the lighthouse. Keep shining.
