What Does Brock Turner's Release Mean? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

What Does Brock Turner's Release Mean?

How justice is given and recieved in America today

5
What Does Brock Turner's Release Mean?

When I saw that Brock Turner was going to be released for “good behavior,” I had two reactions. First, I almost vomited. Second, I almost started crying. I was outraged that after receiving such a short sentence for his blatant crime… I’m sorry, I mean “twenty minutes of action,” he’s being released after only serving half of it. I’m disgusted with our justice system right now. Case after case has proved that we aren’t capable of imprisoning rapists because it’s always obviously the victim’s fault. I mean, half of these girls are sluts, they were drunk or passed out, they put themselves in a dangerous position, or they were blatantly asking for it. So clearly, they shouldn’t have been surprised that a man took advantage of them when they said to stop. They probably didn’t really mean it anyway.

So why would we imprison a man for a crime when the women has set herself up for it? According to our justice system, being vulnerable removes responsibility from criminal and onto the victim. Why not just cut out the middle man and imprison the victim? They were clearly an irresistible temptation and will lead others astray.

Not-so-subtle sarcasm aside, we finally get one rapist locked up. One rapist taken off the streets. One rapist punished for his crime. But was his punishment just? Six months. Some misdemeanors warrant harsher penalties. And many have. Then, he’s released after three months. Half his sentence. Brock Turner’s victim did not even receive justice when he was first convicted. And now he’s back on the streets.

What kind of message does that send?

To predators: rape isn’t a big deal. You probably won’t get charged because no one will believe your victim. I mean, she’s a slut right? She’s probably lying. She asked for it. Or if you get charged, you won’t get convicted. It was her fault. She didn’t fight back hard enough. Her signals were unclear. Rape doesn’t deserve punishment.

To women: you are worthless. You do not deserve justice. You are not worth protecting. You are the guilty one. You brought this on yourself. You get to look your rapist in the eye and know that no one cares what he did to you. You have to remember every detail, every second, and know that those seconds are yours to carry and yours alone. You get to have the pleasure of knowing that your life is forever changed and he gets to carry on as though nothing ever happened.

Think of your mothers, wives, and daughters. Think of your girlfriends, sisters, and best friends. Think of the old woman you sit next to on the bus every day, the young lady who checked you out at the grocery store, and the girl who smiled at you because you looked sad. Does she deserve that?

When Brock Turner gets released, that is the message that is being sent out. Yes, she does deserve to be raped and no, he does not deserve to be punished. This is the value that is placed on women. This is the leniency given to men. This is the world we live in.

This is a world that scares me.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181842
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8677
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453510
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23914
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments