Open Letter To The Stanford Rape Victim
If you’ve been following the Stanford rape case, the crime alone is enough to leave your heart aching, your blood boiling and your stomach sick. Especially after reading the victim’s heart-wrenching letter, eloquently detailing the impact the heinous assault and grueling trial has had on her and her family. But what happened after the attacker was found guilty has brought public outrage to a fever pitch. Despite the fact that Brock Turner was found guilty on three felony counts, the judge’s sentence is seen by many as a mere slap on the wrist.
Credit: Connor Radnovich, The Chronicle
There have been many powerful responses to the case, but the following open letter to the poor girl who was raped is one of my favorites. Penned by Christian writer Lairs Johnston, and shared on the To Save A Life blog, it’s the first line that initially caught my attention:
“I'm a guy. I'm in my 20s. I'm single. Here's what I have to say to you.”
In a case where a girl was sexually assaulted by a young male, it’s especially impressive to see a young man taking a stand on the issue. As Lairs’ puts it in his letter:
“It's important because women need to know they're not the only ones infuriated with rape and this kind of injustice.”
He reiterates this point to the Stanford rape victim later in his letter by saying,
“I so desperately want you to know you're not alone and it's not just girls that stand with you.”
RELATED: Christians & Consent: Powerful Responses to the Brock Turner Case
Lairs goes on to apologize to the victim for what happened to her. And his message for her is not only an important message for sexual assault victims, but for all women who feel pressured, degraded and objectified in today’s highly sexualized society. He writes:
“You are not just ’20 minutes of action’ as his father put it. You are not some girl at a party. You are not alone in your fight.
I'm single. I'm male. I'm in my 20s. I respect you. I grieve with you.
I don't want you to think, not even a second, that you ‘asked for it’ or that any of this is ‘your fault.’ As men, it's our job to protect women regardless of what they wear or how much they drink.
I'm so sorry that instead of a broken down man in a ball of tears you got an emotionless courtroom statement that turned you from victim to the guilty.”
Lairs goes on to say:
“I pray you know that this case doesn't define you. You may feel broken, but I know a guy who's in the business of making all things new. He's doing it for me as we speak. You are not worthless because of what happened, if anything I pray this makes you stronger as you see your support come through the woodwork to remind you of the beautiful creation you are.”
You can read Lairs’ full letter HERE.
We too will be praying for all of those impacted by this awful event, because, as the Stanford rape victim says in her own powerful letter, in a court case like this, “nobody wins.” But God has the power to heal and restore what no man can.
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12
Hear the inspiring story of a brave mom who refused to abort after being raped by her own family!
Credit: To Save A Life