USA Swimming Bans Convicted Rapist Brock Turner for Life
USA Swimming, the national governing body of competitive swimming, has banned convicted rapist Brock Turner for life. The 20-year-old was a swimmer for Stanford University before being found guilty of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman on campus.
“USA Swimming condemns the crime and actions committed by Brock turner and all acts of sexual misconduct,” spokesman Scott Leightman said in a statement (via ABC News). “Brock Turner is not a member and, should he apply, he would not be eligible for membership. Had he been a member, he would have been subject to the USA Swimming Code of Conduct. USA Swimming strictly prohibits and has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct.”
Turner’s original membership with the organization expired in 2014, but he now will be unable to ever reapply to join. He will also be unable to compete in sanctioned swim events, including the U.S. Olympic Trials that select the Olympic team every four years.
Turner faced up to 14 years in prison for raping an anonymous 23-year-old woman who was unconscious and intoxicated at the time. In a controversial decision, Judge Aaron Persky sentenced him to six months in jail, probation and requirement to register as a sex offender. Persky felt that his age and lack of a criminal record warranted a shorter sentence. Prospective jurors are now boycotting the judge for his decision and at least 10 have refused to serve under him in an unrelated case.
Vice President Joe Biden recently penned a missive to the survivor of Turner’s assault, acknowledging that “the nation is not satisfied” with the lenient sentence and praised the anonymous woman’s bravery for speaking out against her rapist.
Vice President Joe Biden has written a powerful letter to the 23-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted by Stanford student Brock Turner. Watch here.