On September 2nd, 2016 Hope Rising will gather together with other supporters, including The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center, on the west lawn of the McKinney Performing Arts Center at 5pm, to stand in Solidarity with all survivors of Sexual Assault.
Brock Turner, the Stanford Rapist, is due to be released from Santa Clara County jail on September 2nd, after serving three months of a controversial six month sentence for three felony counts of sexual assault. Judge Aaron Persky, choose this more lenient sentence, a conviction that could carry up to 14 years in jail, based on his feelings that, “the vulnerability of the victim,” Persky said. “And the victim in this case was extremely vulnerable. That’s an element of the crime. ... So I have considered that.” Judge Persky will also have to review the terms of Mr. Turner’s probation upon his release, after discovering Turner lied to court officials and the court about his past drug and alcohol abuse. It is suspected he will be ordered to get regular drug testing and receive substance abuse counseling. A request has been made to transfer Brock Turner’s probation to Ohio, where his parent’s live, and is awaiting approval by California Authorities.
The victim has, rightfully, remained anonymous, but her statement to the courts has brought many to rally around this controversial case, prompting an open letter from Vice President, Joe Biden and many others.
Hope Rising seeks to keep the conversation in the forefront about the devastating nature of sexual assault, not only to the victim but their family and friends. Hope Rising also wishes to raise awareness about Rape Culture and Victim Blaming. According to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, every two minutes someone is sexually assaulted in the United States. 1 out of every 6 women in the U.S. have been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime and 1 in 33 Men. 54% of all victims are between the ages of 12 & 34. A large number of rapes go unreported, among the ones that are ¾ of them knew the perpetrator.
Hope Rising will gather on the West Lawn of the McKinney Performing Arts Center, 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney, 75069 at 5pm on September 2nd to read aloud the victim’s statement and many other writings that followed this controversial case. This is not a protest but rather a gathering, and an opportunity to stand in solidarity with all victims of Sexual Assault. If you cannot attend Hope Rising will be doing a Live Feed via Facebook.
For More Information, call 214 912 0054, or write president@HopeRisingTX.org
More Information:
Hope Rising: www.HopeRisingTX.org
RAINN: www.RAINN.org