Stanford student and athlete Brock Allan Turner was found guilty of rape this week, after being discovered on top of an unconscious woman behind a dumpster in January 2015. Despite a maximum prison sentence of 14 years, Turner’s punishment is just six months in jail, with three years probation. Judge Aaron Persky claimed imprisonment would have a “severe impact” on Turner, due to his lack of a criminal record.
In an attempt to further relieve his son’s sentence, Dan Turner stated to court: “… that is a steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action out of his 20 plus years of life … What I know as his father is that incarceration is not the right punishment for Brock … he has never been violent to anyone, including his actions on the night of January 17th, 2015.”
To add fuel to the fire, Brock’s mug shots were not released to the media for some time. Instead, pictures of Turner smiling in a suit and tie were released. The mug shots were released just as the online campaign garnered 300,000 signatures to recall the sentencing judge.
This case highlights the disturbing trend that student athletes, particularly white students, seem to receive preferential treatment when accused of sex crimes. Many Twitter and Facebook users were quick to point out the disparity between the photos of Turner in the media, and the photos of racial violence victim, Trayvon Martin. Turner is a convicted criminal on the sexual offenders list, and yet is presented as a crisp, successful student. In the same media outlets, Martin, the victim of racialized crime, was portrayed by the media as a thug.
The most disturbing element in this case, however, is the statements made by Turner and his family members. He and his family have shown no remorse or responsibility for his repulsive actions. Instead they blame alcohol and promiscuity, which in turn placed more blame on the defenceless victim.
Both the victim and perpetrator had been drinking. However, the family of Turner claimed in his case, alcohol clouded his judgment, which caused him to make a mistake. In the case of the victim, it was suggested that by drinking, she was partially at fault.
Regardless of the victim’s drinking habits, clothing choices or perceived promiscuity, she is not at fault. Turner is the sole responsible party – despite his race and athletic success – and should have been prosecuted accordingly. The justice system has failed a victim, and perpetuated extremely harmful elements of rape culture.
Instead of likening rape to “20 minutes of action,” perhaps Dan Turner could have used 20 minutes to teach his son that women are people, or that rape is wrong.
Jennifer Hamilton is a local student and writer.
