When I first heard about the Stanford case, I didn’t want to know anything about it. I was too afraid that the case would mirror almost every other case I have either heard about or have dealt with myself. There are very few cases that have served justice for victims, which is simply a fact. Every two minutes, someone in the United States alone is sexually assaulted. By the time you’re done reading this, around five people will experience sexual assault in our country.
After a few days of speculation, I decided to do some research and find out what really went down in the court room. As I predicted, the outcome of the Stanford case was almost identical to hundreds of other rape cases. Like many Americans, I was completely enraged – enraged for the victim, her family and friends and every other victim of rape that is told to move on and go about with their daily lives after such a traumatic and exhausting nightmare.
Although the outcome of this case is strikingly upsetting, it doesn’t shock me. While it’s shocking that Brock Turner is only getting three months in jail for raping an unconscious woman, it isn’t shocking that his white-privileged background and/or lawyers were able to get him a very light sentence. I believe that sexual assault cases are not taken as seriously as other crimes in our justice system (as seen in this case), and that has to change. While it’s extremely hard for justice to be served in sexual assault cases, that doesn’t make them any less of a crime. Why is this? Many people say it’s too hard to “prove” sexual assault and/or rape cases, because of their complicated nature. I, for one, have to say that that is absolute bullshit.
This year, I was involved in something that was so horrific, I couldn’t believe that it had happened on my very own campus, also named by many as the “happiest place on earth.” Having to beg and plead a jury what I knew was true was a feeling of defeat I’ve never experienced before. Being told that I was lying by the very person who took advantage of someone so near and dear to my heart felt unreal. And if that’s how I was feeling, simply a witness by phone call, how do you think the victim felt? To be told that everything she knew and experienced was all a lie was mentally and emotionally draining. I knew I had to be her strength because he took it right from under her. So I challenge you, whoever is reading this, that if you know someone who has experienced any kind of sexual assault, please believe them. Stand up for them. Support them.
