Every now and then, justice finds its way into the American court system where it sometimes has been absent altogether. Due to the courage of a 23-year-old rape victim/survivor anonymously known as “Emily Doe,” an important law for other rape victims has inspired a Santa Clara County District Attorney to introduce a bill that will lift the 10-year statute of limitations for rape to CBS Bay City News. This would allow rape victims to seek indictment against their rapists after 10 years.
To give some background on Emily Doe: She was raped while unconscious behind a dumpster in January 2015 by former Stanford Freshman Brock A. Turner. In early June 2016, Turner was sentenced to a mere six-month county jail sentence, along with probation. This was for three felony convictions. Emily Doe wrote and read a statement to her rapist, Brock Turner, in court. That statement was published on social media and went viral. Days later the presiding judge on that case, Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Persky, who is a Stanford graduate, was criticized for giving Turner such a light sentence and a petition was created asking for his impeachment. The petition has been signed by over one million people. A statement by Turner’s father that was sent to Judge Persky also went public, only making things worse for Turner, Persky, and Turner’s father.
During the same week, Vice President Biden sent a compassionate letter to Emily Doe via BuzzFeed, and her original letter is set to be read in Congress this week. U.S. Swim banned Turner, an Olympic hopeful—for life. A reported 10 jurors refused to serve on a subsequent sexual assault case that was to be heard by Judge Persky. The judge was ultimately removed from the new case.
And now this new legislation has been introduced and is expected to pass. Thanks to Emily Doe, other rape victims and the public’s outrage, this will change the lives of thousands, including the rapists who thought they got away with their crime. They may soon be notified by authorities and many will be incarcerated. Emily Doe has also helped to give rape victims around the world the courage to speak out about their assaults. Her full burning statement can be read here. Again, thank you to Emily Doe and the many victims/survivors who are bravely speaking out against rape/sexual assault.
If you or someone you know is, or has ever been, a victim of rape/sexual assault, you are not alone and 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/online.RAINN.org. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911. You do not have to live with guilt and shame. You are not alone. If you can hold on to one thing, remember this—it’s not your fault.
Related Daily Kos Coverage of this case: