Once Again, The Argument Rises on Sexual Assault Punishment

In the continued struggle of sexual assault sentencing, a young man’s punishment is being considered from all sides. Bearing similarities to Brock Turner, the young man sentenced to two months in prison after a convicted rape, many are rallying against the call that was made by judge Patrick Butler. Austin James Wilkerson was convicted of raping a classmate while she was under the influence of alcohol and unconscious.

Wilkerson is a former student at the university of Colorado. The incident occurred in March 2014, while Wilkerson was attending a college party with the eventual victim. Wilkerson decided to take her home after deeming her too drunk, and claimed he was going to take care of her. Wilkerson’s story is incredibly difficult to pin down. His story changed and developed over several stages, ranging from his claim that she was not drunk and consented, to telling his friends he “fingered a girl” while she was passed out.

Wilkerson was convicted of one count of sexual assault of a helpless victim and one count of unlawful sexual contact. These led to a jail sentence in which he can leave to go to school or work and limits how he spends his time. Additionally, he will spend twenty years on a sex offender registry. Deputy District Attorney Lisa Saccomano finds faults with the sentence she considers light. She expressed her concern that this degree of sentencing will do nothing to sway those that commit sexual assault and rape. She explains that much of the talk that surrounds assault of this nature center on the perpetrator and how they are affected, without taking into mind the one who was non-consensual in the scenario. Susan Walker represents the other side to this debate, claiming that this kind of sentence has a profound burden, and does not resuscitate the perpetrator.

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