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Stanford Victim Explains Staying Anonymous: ‘For Now, I Am Every Woman’

2 minute read
Students walk on campus at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., Jan. 13, 2016.
Students walk on campus at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., Jan. 13, 2016.Marcio Jose Sanchez—AP
By Sarah Begley

The woman whose sexual assault at Stanford University has been widely reported on in recent days has explained why she’s chosen to remain anonymous for the time being, calling it a “statement.”

The young woman’s case gained attention in the last week after her assailant was sentenced to only six months in jail, and the statement she read aloud to him in court went viral.

Even though she has gained many supporters in recent days, she does not want to release her name. She explained in a statement to a local Fox affiliate:

I remain anonymous, yes to protect my identity.
But it is also a statement, that all of these people are fighting for someone they don’t know.
That’s the beauty of it. I don’t need labels, categories, to prove I am worthy of respect, to prove that I should be listened to.
I am coming out to you as simply a woman wanting to be heard.
Yes there is plenty more I’d like to tell you about me.
For now, I am every woman.

The judge in this case, Aaron Persky, is facing a recall campaign from critics of his lenient sentence. The young men who witnessed and stopped the assault have also spoken out about their experience and said they were touched by the victim describing them as heroes.

[KTVU]

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