Letter to the editor — June 28

Active bystanders are important

It could have been you. It could have been anyone — your daughter, sister, cousin, best friend, or neighbor.

That’s what I kept thinking when I initially heard about the Stanford rape case.

Even after working in sexual assault services, each new story of sexual assault leaves me disconcerted.

What makes someone feel they can take something from someone and leave them feeling worthless?

Brock Turner felt privileged and entitled.

His father’s plea to the judge solidified this thought even more. He never acknowledged his son’s responsibility for his actions that night. He blamed everyone and everything else — upperclassmen on the swim team, the alcohol that his son consumed, the distance that separated Brock from his family; he even went on to say his son has never been violent, not even on the night that he assaulted a young woman.

How would that same dad have felt if it were his daughter lying unconscious behind a dumpster being assaulted? Again, it could have been anyone. How many times have you been persuaded to go out for a night of fun with friends, when partying is the last thing you planned to do?

My challenge to parents is to raise your children so they value and respect others, so they know it’s OK to be an active bystander, like the two heroes that restrained Turner until police arrived. Have the same sentiments for the victim that you would have if it were someone close to you. Teach your children about consent — no means no; an absent of no does not equal yes.

We have to change society’s view that everyone should just mind their own business, from elementary school bullying to sexual assault. We are responsible for doing our part to prevent violence. It could happen to anyone.

ShaTerra Norris

Clovis