Brock Turner. The Stanford Rape case. The complete and total disregard for human life by not only a young man, but a corrupt judge who chose a disgusting, very much so guilty rapist over a young woman who could have very well been his own daughter in that position. Not to mention the outrageous and absolutely sickening response that both parents have given in letters to the court. It started when the father stated that he doesn't understand why his son should suffer his "20 minutes of action" and the mother also spoke out stating that "his dreams have been shattered by this." Obviously, both parents cannot see the wrong in their perfect son brutally raping a young woman. His family, and himself, blame the alcohol in his system and the influences of society. The family is blaming everything but their monstrosity of a son, and Turner himself refuses to see the impact of his actions on the young woman, but instead the selfish rapist is only claiming how these deeds have affected his own life. However, enough attention has been placed on the sick, repulsive, revolting individual that is Brock Turner.

Instead I'm here to talk about the victim, those who have been affected, and the statistics behind rape and sexual assault in the United States alone.

The sickening statistic is that 1 out of every 6 American women alone have been the victim of rape in her lifetime. This is in regard to 14.8 percent of completed rape, and 2.8 percent attempted. As of 1998, so there is a very possible cause for increase since it is now 2016 and more women may have come out with their stories, but an estimated 17.7 million American women had been victims of attempted or completed rape. 17.7 million American women alone. This does not include women who are raped in other countries and are faced with sexual violence on a daily basis. Yes, this is America alone.This is the sad reality of rape and sexual violence. Many individuals do not know the severity of it in America, however, the severity of sexual assault is also an issue at the forefront of many third world countries. From a young age, women are taught to not be alone at night, to carry pepper spray, and to always travel in packs. However, it is important to note that not all rape happens when some stranger jumps out of the bushes, it is not always like the Stanford case. Someone close to you, someone you know, can rape you. Sexual violence is notlimited to strangers.

Here are some statistics from rainn.org regarding sexual assault of young women alone:

• 82 percent of all juvenile victims are female. 90 percent of adult rape victims are female.
• Females ages 16-19 are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault.
• Women ages 18-24 who are college students are three times more likely than women in general to experience sexual violence. Females of the same age who are not enrolled in college are four times more likely.

Now, let's take a look at rape and sexual assault in college-age women alone. Women who are ages 18-24 and are in college are three timesmore likely to be raped in their lifetime. Women who are ages 18-24 and are not in college are four times more likely to be raped. The victim of the Stanford case is only 23 years-old. Sexual assault as a crime is more prevalent than any other crime on a college campus. Sickening, isn't it? Sexual assault is more likely a crime than petty theft. Someone would rape a human being before steal something from them in a college environment.

Here are so more statistics regarding sexual violence on college campuses:

• 11.2 percent of all students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation (among all graduate and undergraduate students).
• Among graduate and professional students, 8.8 percent of females and 2.2 percent of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation.
• Among undergraduate students, 23.1 percent of females and 5.4 percent of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation.
• 4.2 percent of students have experienced stalking since entering college.

However, women are not the only victims of sexual assault and rape.

Here is the sick realization that men can also be raped. Same with women, men who are college students, aged 18-24, are more at risk to be the victims of sexual assault. Men who are college students aged 18-24 are five times more likely to be victims of sexual assault.

The constant question is "Why don't people report rape?" and "Why don't you go to the police?" and "Tell somebody!" Well, if the Stanford case isn't enough to prove as to why victims of rape are too afraid to come out and talk about their experience, here are more statistics:

I want all of you reading this article to take a good hard look at the reasoning behind why individuals do not report their rape. "Believed it was a personal matter." "Had a fear of reprisal." "Believed it was not important enough to report." "Did not want the perpetrator to get in trouble." Doesn't that make your stomach churn? Your head spin? Your heart hurt? It should. The Stanford victim was saved by two bikers who called the cops and her story got reported, but what about those who don't? Even though it was proven that she was violently raped, with witnesses included, Turner is still only getting three months in prison. This representation in media and the skewed justice system is why individuals do not come out. Not only has this poor victim been dragged through the dirt by her rapist, his family claims that he did nothing wrong. Imagine having to deal with that, publicly, while the judge publicly gives sympathy to your perpetrator. Your nightmare. Now do you understand?

Furthermore, those who are victims of rape have to deal with the consequences of being attacked. These results are much worse than one might think and they are surely going to affect the victim more than the rapist could ever imagine. Sorry, Brock Turner, but I think your victim has more reason to cry than you ever will. Here are some statistics:

There is an extreme increase in depressing thoughts and thoughts of suicide. Not to mention the onset of PTSD, and yes, those who have experienced war are not the only victims of PTSD.

• 94 percent of women who are raped experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during the two weeks following the rape.
• 30 percent of women report PTSD symptoms nine months after the rape.
• 33 percent of women who are raped contemplate suicide.
• 13 percent of women who are raped attempt suicide.
• Approximately 70 percent of rape or sexual assault victims experience moderate to severe distress, a larger percentage than for any other violent crime.

Those who have been raped are more likely to resort to drugs as a coping mechanism than the general public.

• 3.4 times more likely to use marijuana
• 6 times more likely to use cocaine
• 10 times more likely to use other major drugs

The victim's relationships with others are severely impacted.

• 38 percent of victims of sexual violence experience work or school problems, which can include significant problems with a boss, coworker or peer.
• 37 percent experience family/friend problems, including getting into arguments more frequently than before, not feeling able to trust their family/friends or not feeling as close to them as before the crime.
• 84 percent of survivors who were victimized by an intimate partner experience professional or emotional issues, including moderate to severe distress, or increased problems at work or school.
• 79 percent of survivors who were victimized by a family member, close friend or acquaintance experience professional or emotional issues, including moderate to severe distress, or increased problems at work or school.
• 67 percent of survivors who were victimized by a stranger experience professional or emotional issues, including moderate to severe distress, or increased problems at work or school.

Victims are at risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• Studies suggest that the chance of getting pregnant from one-time, unprotected intercourse is between 3.1 to 5 percent, depending on a multitude of factors, including the time of month intercourse occurs, whether contraceptives are used, and the age of the female. The average number of rapes and sexual assaults against females of childbearing age is approximately 250,000. Thus, the number of children conceived from rape each year in the United States might range from 7,750—12,500. This is a very general estimate, and the actual number may differ. This statistic presents information from a number of different studies. Further, this information may not take into account factors which increase or decrease the likelihood of pregnancy, including, but not limited to: impact of birth control or condom use at the time of attack or infertility. RAINN presents this data for educational purposes only, and strongly recommends using the citations to review sources for more information and detail.
  

This is what the victim of the Stanford case is at risk of suffering from. The symptoms of PTSD are terrifying. Personally being a victim and developing PTSD as a result has changed how I live my life. It has changed me as a human being. After experiencing something as traumatic as this, you change as a human being. You are not the same person you were once before.

Furthermore, I would like to emphasize that it is never, never, never the victim's fault. It does not matter what they were wearing, whether they were intoxicated, or if they have a sexual promiscuous past. It is always the rapist's fault. They chose to sexually assault someone without their consent. They attacked someone and violated them. That is their own fault and their own decision to do such a terrible thing to another human being. It is their choice to do something so horrid to someone else. I repeat, it is never the victim's fault.

In case you have missed anything discussed in this article, here are some links to get you caught up on the Stanford rape case:

Here is the letter that the victim wrote her attacker.

Here are the letters that the Turner parents wrote regarding their monstrosity of a son: from the mother and from the father.

This is a story with just a bunch of links regarding the case in case you want to feel outraged and hate the justice system more than you already do.

Also, if you are a victim of sexual assault and need to reach out to someone, first and foremost, do not be afraid to tell someone you trust about the incident! You are never to blame and do not let the darkness consume you as a result! If you are afraid to open up to someone close to you (I know I was), here are some sources for you.