Joe Biden to Stanford Sexual Assault Victim: ‘A Lot of People Failed You’

Vice President Joe Biden has a message for the victim of a sexual assault at Stanford University after reading the powerful letter she read out loud to her attacker in court.

In a letter from Biden published by BuzzFeed, the Vice President thanked the woman for sharing her story, telling her that “a lot of people failed you” through their inaction during the incident. “It must have been wrenching—to relive what he did to you all over again,” Biden said. “But you did it anyway, in the hope that your strength might prevent this crime from happening to someone else. Your bravery is breathtaking.”

Stanford student Brock Turner was convicted of assaulting the woman while she was unconscious. A judge gave him a lenient six month sentence—which sparked outrage and drew attention to the case.

Biden commended the survivor for sharing her story, saying her bravery would help make the world a better place.

“Your words will help people you have never met and never will. You have given them the strength they need to fight. And so, I believe, you will save lives,” Biden said. “I do not know your name—but I will never forget you. The millions who have been touched by your story will never forget you.”

Read the full letter over at BuzzFeed News.