Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

niyad

(113,213 posts)
Mon Jun 6, 2016, 01:19 PM Jun 2016

The burning statement that a Stanford woman reads to her rapist in court goes viral—as it should

(her letter is incredibly powerful--please read in its entirety at the link below)


The burning statement that a Stanford woman reads to her rapist in court goes viral—as it should


In March, a former Stanford University student was convicted and sentenced for raping and sexually assaulting an unconscious 23-year-old woman. The rapist is a “champion swimmer,” and was an Olympian hopeful — who got off easy.

?1465207522

The crime took place back in January 2015. Two Stanford University graduate students were biking across the campus when they saw a young man “thrusting his body on top of an unconscious, half-naked woman behind a dumpster.” The bikers were able to stop the crime in action, then tackle the attacker after he ran away. A little over a year later, a jury found Brock Turner, 20, guilty of three counts of sexual assault. He faced a maximum of 14 years in state prison. But instead, he was sentenced to six months in county jail. When you can afford an expensive team of attorneys, expert witnesses and private investigators things can often work in your favor.

Many agree with Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen who felt the sentence handed down by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky, was “disappointing” and said Turner should have been sent to prison.
"The punishment does not fit the crime," Rosen said in a statement. "The predatory offender has failed to take responsibility, failed to show remorse and failed to tell the truth. The sentence does not factor in the true seriousness of this sexual assault or the victim’s ongoing trauma. Campus rape is no different than off-campus rape. Rape is rape. And I will prosecute it as such."

On June 2, 2016, the victim addressed her assailant directly in court with a statement published in the Santa Clara District Attorney’s office. Katie J.M. Baker with BuzzFeed published the statement and it has garnered over 4 million views in two days — and it’s every bit worth the entire read. The account is one many will never forget and reads as if you are there with the victim going through each raw and riveting emotion. The victim begins by addressing the judge, then directly her words toward her rapist: (Warning: the disturbing content may be an emotional trigger for some.)

. . . .

Brock Allen Turner’s father also wrote a statement to the judge and it reeks of an American rape apologist who sees his rapist son as the victim. Because this is how we often roll in America when it comes to sexual assault.

. . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/6/6/1534962/-The-daunting-and-powerful-statement-a-Stanford-victim-reads-to-her-rapist-in-court-goes-viral?detail=email&link_id=6&can_id=da4156c5f19300febaca3a0dcad12608&source=email-the-dumbest-man-in-congress-proves-his-ignorance-once-again&email_referrer=the-dumbest-man-in-congress-proves-his-ignorance-once-again&email_subject=the-dumbest-man-in-congress-proves-his-ignorance-once-again

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The burning statement that a Stanford woman reads to her rapist in court goes viral—as it should (Original Post) niyad Jun 2016 OP
Another child raised by a crazy man. tonyt53 Jun 2016 #1
Jesus. progressoid Jun 2016 #2
That full statetment should be tattooed on his body. Orrex Jun 2016 #3
He should at least ejbr Jun 2016 #8
every year? how about Every Day. Hiraeth Jun 2016 #13
There you go n/t ejbr Jun 2016 #15
So sick. Saviolo Jun 2016 #4
The father is scum. radicalliberal Jun 2016 #6
the rapist is 20 years old, he is legally an adult, not a boy. niyad Jun 2016 #10
My apologies Saviolo Jun 2016 #12
either would have worked. the problem with using "boy" is that it makes it all too easy to niyad Jun 2016 #14
For sure Saviolo Jun 2016 #16
you are quite correct--they work very well together. niyad Jun 2016 #17
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2016 #5
In a more civilized society Geronimoe Jun 2016 #7
a more civilized society would not be a rape culture. niyad Jun 2016 #11
Recall judge petition ejbr Jun 2016 #9

ejbr

(5,856 posts)
8. He should at least
Mon Jun 6, 2016, 05:44 PM
Jun 2016

have it read back to him in her voice every year on the anniversary of this crime so that it may finally sink in

Saviolo

(3,280 posts)
4. So sick.
Mon Jun 6, 2016, 02:46 PM
Jun 2016

Just 6 months. And the boy's statement only acknowledges wrongdoing for drinking which is legal but not rape.

And then the father's statement came out, and all it talks about is how poorly this decision has made his son feel. He's depressed, he's sad, it's ruining his future. He promises he won't drink again, blah blah blah... Again, not a single mention of rape, except in the middle he says:

His life will never be the one he dreamed about and worked so hard to achieve. That is a steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action out of his 20 plus years of life.


My jaw hit the floor that this boy's father could possibly even think about defending him with words like that. I mean, really?

REALLY?

The Guardian provides more context and the statement here: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/06/father-stanford-university-student-brock-turner-sexual-assault-statement

Don't teach your son not to drink, asshole, teach him not to rape!

Saviolo

(3,280 posts)
12. My apologies
Tue Jun 7, 2016, 12:30 AM
Jun 2016

I should have used the far more correct "rapist" or maybe just "asshole" when referring to him.

niyad

(113,213 posts)
14. either would have worked. the problem with using "boy" is that it makes it all too easy to
Tue Jun 7, 2016, 11:11 AM
Jun 2016

dismiss what he did with the "boys will be boys" excuse, which we have seen in far too many cases.

Saviolo

(3,280 posts)
16. For sure
Tue Jun 7, 2016, 12:02 PM
Jun 2016

That word definitely has an air of "innocence" to it that I really didn't intend to impart to that rapist asshole (oh hey, they work together!)

Response to niyad (Original post)

 

Geronimoe

(1,539 posts)
7. In a more civilized society
Mon Jun 6, 2016, 04:59 PM
Jun 2016

The judge would order that the rapist be castrated in the public square. It seems the judge who clearly sympathizes with the rapist and not the victim of the rapist, the rapist, and the rapist's father all need a great deal of psychiatric care.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Editorials & Other Articles»The burning statement tha...