In 2016, Brock Turner, a former Stanford University student, was convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman behind a dumpster. The case gained national attention due to the lenient sentence Turner received - six months in jail, of which he only served three months. The judge cited Turner's age, lack of criminal history, and potential for rehabilitation as reasons for the light sentence. The victim's powerful impact statement, detailing the trauma and aftermath of the assault, sparked a national conversation about rape culture and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
Case 2: Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein, a prominent Hollywood producer, was accused by multiple women of sexual assault and harassment over several decades. The allegations against Weinstein sparked the #MeToo movement, in which women shared their experiences of sexual harassment and assault in various industries. Weinstein was eventually convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2020 and sentenced to 23 years in prison. The case highlighted the prevalence of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry and the power dynamics that enable perpetrators to abuse their positions of authority.