Stanford Case

While he might not be referred to as such in some headlines, the Stanford Rapist, Brock Turner, is in the spotlight for multiple reasons.

Lots shared this and similar memes online.

The first of which being the incredibly light sentence he received following being convicted of three felonies, including "assault with intent to rape an intoxicated woman and sexually penetrating an unconscious person with a foreign object." For his crime, he was only sentenced to 6 months in a county jail and then 3 years probation. The reason for this leniency? The judge determined that, "a prison sentence would have a severe impact on him. I think he will not be a danger to others." While no amount of time can undo what he did to the woman he raped, this sentence is truly laughable, especially considering the length of time others have been put in jail for lesser crimes. My Facebook feed was filled with scathing remarks regarding the proceedings.







The other reason for outrage regarding Turner is thanks to his father. After the trauma of the whole rape ordeal on his son, his father took to the internet to pen a letter which has been circulating the internet. Within the letter, he describes how his son will never be his "happy go lucky self" and how his "every waking minute is consumed with worry, anxiety, fear, and depression." He chooses to paint his son as the victim in the event, despite it being his son's own actions that caused him to be in this position today. Not to mention how it's a slap in the face to the actual victim, the woman who he raped.





In stark contrast to his letter is the one the victim read to Turner in court. Currently trending with over 10 million views on Buzzfeed, the unnamed victim recounts the horrors of the night and how she was violated. Dubbed Emily Doe, she makes a powerful statements including, "we can let this destroy us, I can remain angry and hurt and you can be in denial, or we can face it head on, I accept the pain, you accept the punishment, and we move on."

Without social media, this case might not have made its way onto my radar, as I'm sure is the case with many other people. Such widespread outrage across the internet might even lead to a positive outcome, bringing reform to the Justice System.