Stanford University Rapist Update: Joe Biden Writes Open Letter To Swimmer Brock Turner’s Rape Victim
ByAmid growing outrage over the six-month sentence given to Stanford University freshman Brock Turner, Vice President Joe Biden has written an open letter comforting the swimmer's rape victim.
In his open letter to the young woman, Biden said he was "awed" at her courage in speaking out against the wrongs done to her, Newsweek reported. According to Biden, the she has become a symbol of change in a country where rape against women is trivialized and pushed aside.
Biden then blasted those who were present or nearby when the incident happened but did nothing to intervene. He said it was because of their inaction that rape culture still persists in America.
At the same time, he also commended the two bikers who stopped to help the woman that fateful day. Describing them as "responsible bystanders", he hopes other people will step up and do their own share of ending America's rape culture.
Brock Turner, an elite swimmer of Stanford University who was pegged to join the Olympics, was caught red-handed raping the unconscious woman near a dumpster on campus January 18 last year.
His case garnered national attention after rape charges against him were dropped. Instead, he was convicted on three counts of felony sexual assault.
In June 2016, Judge Aaron Persky gave Turner a six-month sentence and three years' probation-sparking outrage from many who feel he was being treated with kid gloves because of his race and social standing.
Calls for Persky to resign have since been mounting especially after allegations emerged he also favored a group of university baseball players accused of gang-raping a woman in another case, the Telegraph reported.
Aside from being expelled from Stanford University, Turner has also been banned by USA Swimming "for life".
Biden's open letter to Turner's victim has since gone viral, with many sharing it as a show of solidarity against the Stanford University rapist.