This summer, it was nearly impossible to go on social media without reading the name Brock Turner and the controversy that was built around his case. Having been caught and found guilty of raping a woman, the judge decided to only sentence him to six months in jail. In the end, Turner only served three. Having been released in early September, the anger over his case has sparked again, with more opinions on social media coming from high school and college students.
Being that this case brought the conversation of rape culture on college campuses to the forefront, college students everywhere were asked what their thoughts on Brock Turner were. What was the first thing that came to mind when they heard his name?
These are 15 of those responses.
“He’s a monster who played the ‘I’m an innocent white boy’ card and should rot for what he has done to that poor girl. He and his family have no idea what he has done and how horrendous it is. They think a slap on the wrist is what he should get because it will mess him up.” – Ryan A., Kean University, Class of 2019
“I think of a man that no one has respect for. When I hear his name my stomach turns into knots. Knowing that someone basically got away with raping someone? They said they didn’t want to ruin his life. What about the victim? Is it okay that her life if ruined? She has to live with that her whole life.” – Anonymous, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Class of 2018
“I think of how corrupt the judicial system [is] and how he was able to get out of his full sentence, which was laughable, to begin with, because of his family’s money and social standing. Also, how [Stanford] are trying to brush it off to save the reputation of the university. I’m disgusted by him, but even more with how [the situation] was handled.” – Anonymous, Montclair State University, Class of 2018
“He is a rapist. What he did was disgusting and deplorable. The fact that anyone could do that to another human being is absolutely horrifying. While I don’t think he needs to die as some people think, I do not think he has paid enough for his actions.” – Marisa B., Northern Michigan University, Class of 2017
“Disgrace of a person. Rapist. Should spend the rest of his life in prison. Not only did the legal system fail the victim of his crime, but it exposed an obvious pattern of young men getting a slap on the wrist for crimes that cause lifelong damage to innocent victims and their families. The first thing I think of when discussing this subject is our youth, the future of our world, who should be learning the proper values to live a peaceful and good life but instead are being taught that it’s okay to sexually abuse defenseless people, and that there are supposedly no repercussions for such an act.” – Timothy W., Montclair State University, Class of 2018
“Pathetic. He is a pathetic excuse for a human, let alone a collegiate athlete. He is a coward. I’m also a collegiate athlete and at our university, we are required to attend classes on consent and sexual assault, all because of people like him. A totally pathetic coward.” – Ellie R., Bridgewater State University, Class of 2019
“White privilege.” – Anna P., George Washington University, Class of 2018
“I’m instantly pissed whenever I see anything about Brock Turner while online. He was let off way too easy for destroying a young woman’s life. I do not care that he was a young man “going places” and “twenty minutes of action shouldn’t ruin his life”. What I care about is the woman and how her life has drastically changed. I also hope that judge has some major karma coming his way!” – Chantel B., Saginaw Valley State University, Class of 2015
“The thing that bothers me the most, regardless of his sentence and everything else, [is that] he went to jail and still doesn’t think he did anything wrong. Even after all the publicity and having everyone know about it, he won’t admit that he raped a girl. He still doesn’t get it.” – Amanda L., Montclair State University, Class of 2018
“People like him breed the rape culture that we now live in: people that can make a woman feel like a victim and a criminal all at the same time. When I hear his name I think of the poor woman he raped and how his father wants him to be remembered for his swimming times rather than for the criminal he truly is.” – Juli J., Penn State Worthington Scranton, Class of 2019
When I hear of Brock Turner, I think of how unfair and vile our justice system is when it comes to sentencing people like him for the crimes they commit. It disgusts me that he was able to have a short sentence AND be seen as pretty much not guilty of something he did in fact do–there were witnesses and evidence of this. It also disgusts me that he is going around campuses and speaking of the “dangers of drinking too much” and how women should be aware of how they act at a party. What he should be doing is owning up to what he did and advocating against rape crimes and teaching people that no means no, even if the other person has said “yes” once before.” – Hayley S., Montclair State University, Class of 2017
“He should be in jail still. I am disgusted that one can be in jail longer for possession of marijuana than raping someone.” – Anonymous, CSU Bakersfield, Class of 2018
“He is the scum that walks the Earth. He is absolutely awful, he makes me fear everything that humanity [will become].” – Erin M., Montclair State University, Class of 2019
“He should have received a much harsher sentence. Unfortunately, his laughable punishment only reinforced the systemic issues around sexual assault that are rampant in this nation.” – Emma V., UMASS Dartmouth, Class of 2017
“Heartless.” – Ryan S., Montclair State University, Class of 2019
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