Brock Turner will be released from jail this Friday, September 2, after only serving three months of his already ridiculously short six-month sentence.
Prosecutors suggested that Turner serve a six-year sentence, meaning he only served 1/24 of the recommended sentence. The maximum sentence for the charges he received is 14 years. This is rape culture, folks.
As a refresher, here’s a summary of Turner’s convicted charges: assault with intent to commit rape of an intoxicated person, sexually penetrating an intoxicated person with a foreign object, and sexually penetrating an unconscious person with a foreign object. These crimes were committed by the 20-year-old against a 23-year-old woman who was attending a fraternity party with her younger sister.
Judge Aaron Persky’s sentencing rightfully received a high amount of backlash for giving the Stanford swimmer such a light sentence for the hefty offense, including several “fuck rape culture” events hosted by GRLCVLT, featuring powerhouse feminists Rose McGowan and Amber Tamblyn.
This case — and the many, many more like it that have happened both before and after the Turner case without proper consequence to the convicted — leaves us asking: What can be done? It leaves us with a feeling of disappointment. Of hopelessness.
But, despite the unjust outcome of the Brock Turner case, do not be discouraged from speaking up. The more of us who speak, whether we are survivors, allies, family or friends of victims, we are all fighters. Rape culture cannot be changed unless we continue to push for change. We will not be silenced.
More from BUST
On Brock Turner, And Why I’m No Longer Shocked
A Thank You Letter To Stanford Rape Survivor
An Open Letter To Stanford Rapist Brock Turner’s Dad
