Stanford Rape Case's 'Emily Doe:' I Am a Survivor

She's one of 'Glamour' magazine's Women of the Year, and she's not a 'victim'
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 2, 2016 8:47 AM CDT
Stanford Rape Case's 'Emily Doe:' I Am a Survivor
"Victims are survivors."   (Getty Images)

She first spoke about her abuser in a powerful court statement five months ago. Now "Emily Doe," who was sexually assaulted by former Stanford swimmer Brock Turner, is speaking out again as a Glamour "Woman of the Year." She'd like to be known as a "survivor," she writes in the magazine, in an essay in which she walks readers through her thought process both during and after the trial that netted her attacker just six months in prison (he served just three months before being released in September). Doe describes her initial relief when the trial ended and her confidence that justice would be served at the sentencing—hopes that were quickly dashed, making her feel "embarrassed for trying, for being led to believe I had any influence."

"If this case was meant to set the bar, the bar had been set on the floor," she writes, adding that the next day all she wanted to do was sleep. But then messages of support started pouring in from all over the world—including a note from Joe Biden that called her "a warrior," making her print the letter out and run around "flapping it in the air." There were trolls also, and the one who said, "Sad. I hope my daughter never ends up like her" especially wounded her. But she bounced back, buoyed by all of the other positivity. "I hope you end up like me strong," she says in reference to that letter writer, and to all girls. "Victims are not victims, not some fragile, sorrowful aftermath. Victims are survivors, and survivors are going to be doing a hell of a lot more than surviving." (Her full inspiring essay is here.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X