I know I said that June was strictly dedicated to the daddies, but I wouldn’t be me if I held this back so here it goes. On my personal Facebook Page I had a mini rant about this despicable creep Brock Turner.  In case you are hiding under a rock this is the sadistic creep who raped an unconscious woman behind a dumpster and I believe he would have left her for dead, if not for two strangers that caught him in the act and detained him.  These two individuals held this animal until authorities arrived and were able to take him into custody.  I salute these two individuals as they appear to be with a select few people holding this person accountable and made him face what he had done by not allowing him to run.  The victim in this case, in my opinion, has not received justice, instead she was gut punched with the truth that the system has failed yet another victim.

As the mother of a young lady that is of college age this is very scary. I know we teach our kids at home how to watch for danger, we teach them to be smart and aware.  We don’t expect to send them away from home and have some madman/woman attack our babies.  A few weeks ago I posted “Mommy, I’m Grown!” in which I tell the story of my then 18 year old daughter performing a disappearing act.  My story had a happy ending, she ended up being at a friend’s house.  The part of the story untold was my sister and I at the police station and a call coming across the radio about an 18 year old female found assaulted behind a building, she had been badly beaten and raped.  This part was hard for me to write, the images going through my head were so intense, I became physically ill.  I stood there as the officer tried to quiet the call, but it was too late, I gave him a description of my daughter and he moved slowly toward the radio to answer.  This was a nightmare!  I couldn’t read the officers face as he returned to the desk, I felt like he was moving in slow motion.  He let out a deep breath and said “I was praying this wasn’t your daughter.” Just as those words left his mouth, I received a text, from my daughter.  I never was sure why I didn’t tell this part of the story, but God has a way of letting you reveal things in His time and I feel like I need to express this now.   I could have easily been the mother of a victim.  I can tell you I know for a fact that the punishment this creep received would not have satisfied any thoughts of vengeance I would have had.  I can only imagine the slap in the face this 6 month staycation for such a horrible crime is making this family and their daughter feel.

To this young lady and her family, I am so sorry the system failed you. I want to thank you for your statement.  I know this could not have been easy to write, it was extremely hard to read.  I thank you for opening up the conversation in households that may have not been had but are now being discussed because you were brave enough to speak your truth.  My prayer is that you have a successful, happy, loved, joyous, and abundant life.  That the opportunities offered to you are above and beyond your wildest dreams.  That as this rape is a horrific, unforgettable part of your story, you will use it to strengthen who you are and that this rape will not define you.  To your parents, you have raised an amazing daughter, she is strong and powerful and she has given strength and power to other people.

If you are reading this and have been a victim of sexual assault, please seek help by contacting the National Sexual Assault Hotline, 1.800.656.HOPE (4673). Don’t be ashamed, don’t be afraid, and don’t allow injustice stop you from having a voice.