The infamous, and what many believe to be “blatantly unjust,” Stanford rape case continues to make mainstream and social media headlines after a Stanford University Freshman raped a 23-old-woman behind a dumpster while she was unconscious in January 2015. The convicted rapist, Brock Allen Turner received—in essence—a 3-month jail sentence. The victim (known as “Emily Doe”) read aloud a letter to her rapist in court. The statement was published on BuzzFeed and the results have created a fallout for the convicted rapist, his father and the sentencing judge — Aaron Persky. A petition was launched calling for Persky’s removal from the bench and has already garnered over one million signatures. There are now jurors who refuse to serve under Judge Persky. Tracey Kaplan with Mercury News reports:
PALO ALTO -- At least 10 prospective jurors who oppose Judge Aaron Persky's decision to spare former Stanford swimmer Brock Turner prison for a sex crime refused this week to serve on a jury in an unrelated case he is handling.
"I can't be here, I'm so upset," one juror told the judge while the lawyers were picking the jury in the misdemeanor receiving stolen property case, according to multiple sources.
Another prospective juror stood up and said, "I can't believe what you did," referring to the six-month county jail sentence Persky handed to Turner, who was convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious intoxicated woman last year outside a Stanford University fraternity party.
The prospective jurors were excused from jury duty. Kaplan writes this could become an excuse for others to get out of jury duty and she says that this could “prove to be problematic.” However, there is an solution: Remove Persky from the bench—problem solved.
To learn more about the case, here are links to a series of stories covering the case since last week. If you read just one, Emily Doe’s statement to her rapist would be the one. Or you can listen to the statement via CNN’s Ashleigh Banfield below. The words of Emily Doe are are haunting, gripping, stunning, emotional and educational—and her message is moving the nation and the world.
June 6: The burning statement by Stanford rape victim ‘Emily Doe’ goes viral
June 6: Petition launched to impeach judge who handed Stanford rapist 6 months in county jail
June 7: Open letter to Dan Turner (father of the Stanford rapist): About that 20 minutes
June 9: One woman opts to 'edit' the letter by the Stanford rapist's father & it's SPOT on
June 9: Vice President Biden’s open letter to Stanford rape survivor: 'You are a warrior'
June 10: Statement rape victim scheduled to be read aloud in Congress
June 10: USA Swimming bans rapist — Petition to remove Persky surpasses 1M
June 11: I Founded Stanford’s Sexual Assault Prevention Office. Here’s Why Brock Turner’s Case Is Unusual.
Thank you to Emily Doe and every victim of sexual abuse/violence/rape for having the courage to speak out. For those who choose not to speak out, many rape survivors around the world understand, support you, and our hearts go out to you because we know it can be terrifying. But if you do choose to speak out, know that you don’t have to do it alone and we have your back.
If you or someone you know is, or has ever been, a victim of rape/sexual assault, it’s never too late to seek help. You can find free support via the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and/or by visiting the Rape, Abuse Incest National Network/Ronline RAINN.org website online. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911. You do not have to live with horror, guilt, and/or shame. If you can hold on to one thing, remember this —It. Was. Not. Your. Fault.