It is never the victim's fault. No matter what the individual is wearing or how much he/she has had to drink. No consent still is not consent. With recent events of Brock Turner, age 20, being sentenced to 6 months in jail with a promise of three months with good behavior; the Judge's ruling essentially lets Turner get away with what he has done.
It is never the victim's fault, whether they are male or female. Rape is rape and the protection of the predator over the victim is unconstitutional. The views constructed within our society need to change. There are no excuses for what Turner has done. There are no excuses when it comes to any form of sexual assault.
Our society needs to break the stigma of rape/sexual assault - our society needs to sympathize, not blame.
“You should have known if you went out like that you were provoking something to happen.”
My outfit isn’t an invite. I am not asking for it.
“Well, you didn’t say no.”
I didn’t say yes. Just because I’ve had a little too much to drink doesn’t mean you have the right to take advantage of me. No consent still isn’t consent.
“She’s lying. She’s just doing this for attention.”
I wish I was. I wish I didn’t have to relive what happened every time I close my eyes.
“It will ruin his life if he’s prosecuted.”
He’s already ruined my life - taken my innocence, torn down my mentality, made me feel worthless.
“You don’t even remember it.”
“You’re not over that yet? That happened years ago.”
Time may heal, but the wounds will always be there.
“Why would he rape you?”
I wish he didn't. I didn't ask for this.
“Why didn’t you run?”
I didn’t even get the chance.
The predator becomes the victim in our justice system.
The victim becomes unimportant.
The justice system is supposed to stand for justice; the justice system is supposed to protect the innocent.
How is this ruling standing for the justice of the victim?
“I won’t let this define my life.”
This is the only justice a rape victim has in todays society.
The counter argument used to defend Turner was that a long sentence would have a negative effect on him While that may be true, he is the one who savagely attacked an unconscious women, the one who didn't have consent, and the one who didn't think twice about his actions.
Turner should be held accountable for what he has done. Whether he got off on his sentence or not - everyone should know what this man has done. Everyone should be aware that rape is not OK and that Turner shouldn't be able to walk away from this with a slap on the wrist.