Alabama woman getting support after rape ordeal

[ismnotwasm]

BIRMINGHAM | An Alabama woman said Wednesday she has received public support yet also some criticism for speaking out against the light sentence given to a man convicted of raping her over a period of several years.

Courtney Andrews, 20, said she hopes her decision to come forward will prevent attacks on other women by Austin Clem, 25, who avoided prison time despite the convictions. While The Associated Press typically does not identify victims in sexual assault cases, Andrews said she was speaking publicly about her ordeal to raise awareness about what happened.

"What's done to me has been done, but I don't want this guy to hurt other people," said Andrews.

Prosecutors are asking a state appeals court to order a new sentencing hearing for Clem, calling his punishment illegally lenient. The foreman of the jury that convicted Clem said members believed he would go to prison.

Andrews said she has heard from many people who supported her decision to publicly discuss the charges and Clem's sentence, but some also have criticized her on social media for not immediately reporting the assaults, which began when she was 13.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20131121/news/131129960

[seabeyond]

1. "his punishment illegally lenient.""foreman of the jury... believed he would go to prison."

so. it is all on the judge.

and ya assholes... again, go after a kid for not reporting at 13. kinda like, here she is and the guy gets NO fuckin' jail time. like that doesnt tell rape victims something. and like that doesnt tell RAPISTS something.

[BainsBane]

2. And people serve life in prison for possession of crack pipes

What a fucked up world. It shows how little regard the courts have for the lives of women.

[Tumbulu]

3. and the woman who shot a warning shot

at the ex who was trying to kill her gets 20 years.......and not even let out when that was overturned after a mass public outcry.