Gabrielle Garcia/Staff Writer
Widespread outrage has catapulted across the nation after a California judge made a careless decision to give former Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner an astonishingly lenient sentence for sexually assaulting an unconscious young woman.
Since the unfathomable sentencing, an extensively detailed, emotional and thought-provoking letter from the assault victim has been read by millions across the globe. In fact, on June 16, 20 members of the House of Representatives gathered to read the victim’s letter in unison and hold a discussion about the case.
In solidarity, people have taken to social media and other platforms to express their condolences, their grievances, and their anger with not only Turner’s sentencing but also the prevalence of rape culture in society.
Stereotypically and statistically speaking, sexual assault is perhaps one of the most detrimental issues facing university campuses. In 2015, CNN conducted a survey that included over 150,000 students from 27 universities across the nation (including Ivy League members with the exception of Princeton). The survey revealed that 23% of women on college campuses have reported some kind of unwanted sexual contact including touching, kissing and penetration.
Many have referred to Turner’s overtly lenient sentence as a “slap on the wrist” but the victim had other words for the extent of his penalties.
“The fact that Brock was an athlete at a private university should not be seen as an entitlement to leniency, but as an opportunity to send a message that sexual assault is against the law regardless of social class,” the victim said in her letter.
The victim’s overall statement in court fervently contends that Turner’s socio-economical status had a significant impact on the way in which the legal system handled the case—from the questions Turner’s defense attorney asked the victim, to Turner’s sentence.
Typically, those found guilty for rape face varying penalties, given that they are contingent on the circumstances and the evidence presented during a trial. In comparison to the maximum sentence of 14 years in prison, Turner’s six-month sentence in a county jail not only drastically differs but also suggests to society that rape is to be taken lightly.
As with other assault cases, many often determine alcohol and drugs to be the culprits while simultaneously dejecting the severity of the danger and degradation of sexual assault.
The exhausting phrase “boys will be boys” should hold no significance in society. Boys—men, should be held accountable for their actions, just as girls—women should be. No societal ideal or environment should deem such despicable and barbaric behavior acceptable. Sexual assault holds no ambiguity—any action enacted without the presence of consent is rape and is inexcusable.
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