Sexual Assault and Rape: Chanel Miller's Powerful Statement.

This video above is a short animated film issued by the woman that was raped behind a dumpster after a frat party at Stanford University. The case received a lot of attention, especially after the judge that heard it, as the rapist requested a trial, handed down a six month sentence.  For the longest time her name was simply Emily Doe or, as she says, the "unconscious" woman and other such terms.

The Judge was eventually recalled and the victim we now know, was Chanel Miller and she has written her account of the rape and the subsequent trial. The rapists name was Brock Turner who was a star athlete and potential Olympic swimmer.  This animated film is short but I would like to strongly  urge anyone reading this to watch the 54 minute CBS 60 minute video below.  If you don't have time to watch it all at once, please return to it; it's important to watch it all. I realize millions of people including myself are aware of this case and Ms. Miller's statement but this is the first time I have watched or read it in full.

"RAINN - the rape, abuse and incest national network, the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the US - puts the figure at one in six US women being the victim of an attempted, or completed, rape. Every 92 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. Out of every 1,000 sexual assaults, 995 perpetrators will walk free."

In the comments section to the animated film above I wrote:
"My wife and me watched your longer statement from 60 minutes. You are an amazing person Ms. Miller and I hope that one day I might have the honor of meeting you in person. I am about to put both video's up on my blog as we have a readership in numerous countries around the world. Thank you so much for not allowing this experience to crush you and instead using it to give strength to all the women who have had similar experiences and suffered in silence due to the complete failure of society to address the problem. Brock Turner's behavior has a lot to do with his class privilege in capitalist society and the patriarchy and racism on which it is built. The media, art, sport, most forms expression in our society let people like Brick Turner know that he is special, he has special privileges and women are there for his entertainment; his actions are not open to question. I had intended perhaps to watch just a little of the 60 Minutes video but it was just too powerful. Thanks again."


 In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel
To show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level
And that the strings in the books ain't pulled and persuaded
And that even the nobles get properly handled
Once that the cops have chased after and caught 'em
And that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom

And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished
And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance
William Zanzinger with a six-month sentence

*Bob Dylan The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll