Brock Turner was convicted of "the intent to commit rape of an intoxicated/unconscious person, penetration of an intoxicated person, and penetration of an unconscious person" following his actions after a party at Stanford University last year. While this type of conviction was desired to draw at least a six-year prison sentence, Judge Persky decided to take pity on the star swimmer and Stanford student and sentenced him to six months in prison, which was later adjusted to three. Honestly, I really cannot tell you why or understand the method behind this decision. However, at the revelation of this meager sentencing, Brock’s father spoke out and had the audacity to discuss his unhappiness with the Judge’s decision, and again, I don’t know why. So, Mr. Turner, this article is for you.

I understand that Brock is your son and that as a parent, your love is unconditional and you would fight tooth and nail to make sure they are safe. However, you have yet to acknowledge that what your son did was wrong.

I understand that you did not do that. Instead, you provided the country with meager excuses and reasons why he should not face time in jail.

Let me ask you this, why do you think that rape does not warrants punishment? Why do you treat your son as if he is the victim? He is not.

Let’s say that your son was actually your daughter. One night, your daughter goes to a party and comes home a different person because a fellow student, maybe an athlete, forced himself on her. Let’s say that he took your daughter behind a dumpster like you would take out the trash and raped her. Penetrating her, touching her body, without her consent. Should he be punished?

If you are still unsure, maybe think about it this way. Let’s say your son was at a party one night. For an unknown reason, another party attender decided to beat up your son for twenty minutes straight. Let’s say that results in 40 punches to the face or maybe he was thrown behind the trash and beaten with a baseball bat, should they be punished?

If you can say yes, then how can you say that your son should not be punished for “twenty minutes of action”? Why does your son get a free pass? As a parent, why is your child not held responsible for his actions?

Instead of recognizing that your son raped someone, causing permanent mental, physical, and emotional trauma, you address the media with claims that your son should not be defined by 20 minutes of action and that he himself is suffering an immense amount of pain. It has been stated that he is an amazing swimmer with a shot at being an Olympic athlete, has aspirations for a bright future, and is so disturbed by the events that he can’t eat a prime rib with you anymore. Do you not think that his victim did not have her own set of goals and dreams? Do you not think that his actions affect more than himself?

Quite frankly sir, I do not give a damn that your son is an athlete, I do not care that steak does not taste the same to him. His actions within those 20 minutes do define his life, just like someone who kills someone or hits someone with their car while drunk driving. Your son raped someone and yes that makes him a rapist.

This was not a case of mistaken identity. He was not sexually promiscuous. He cannot rely on his consumption of alcohol to give reason as to why this happened. There is no one or nothing to blame for what happened that night except for him. Your little boy who you probably spent countless hours at long swim meets with, who loved a steak dinner with his dad, is in fact a rapist. He is defined by his actions and your son does not deserve to be let off easy because he is an athlete or just because he is your son and you are incapable of holding your child responsible for his wrongdoings.

Your son took a girl behind a dumpster and raped her while she was unconscious. Your son tarnished the mental state of an innocent woman for his own pleasure, with zero regard for anyone but himself. That was your son. And your son is not special. He does not deserve to enjoy a steak. He does not deserve to spend just three months in prison. He needs to be punished for his actions and as a parent you need to recognize his wrongdoing and display that level of understanding. However, if you think that your son doesn’t deserve punishment and should be allowed to continue onto his swimming career and collegiate life, put yourself in the shoes of the father of the daughter your son raped. Would you not want her attacker punished?