Monday, September 5, 2016

Copy of Loretta Sanchez Letter to Governor Brown (08/31/2016)


Sept. 1, 2016
Good afternoon fellow NWPC sisters,

Yesterday, I wrote a letter to Governor Jerry Brown urging him to help stop the cronyism and special privilege that exists in the legal system. For too long, individuals with influence and power have been granted special privileges at the expense of their victims. I ask the Governor to sign AB2888, which would close the loophole in sentencing of sexual assault and ensures that anyone convicted of sexual assault in California cannot be sentenced to probation. 

The LA Times covered this letter today in their online publication (http://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-sac-essential-politics-updates-senate-candidate-loretta-sanchez-asks-1472756039-htmlstory.html

I ask that you stand with me in urging Governor Brown to sign AB2888. You can reach his office at (916) 445-2841.

Please see the full text of my letter to Governor Brown below:

August 31, 2016

The Honorable Edmund G. Brown Jr.
Governor of California
State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Governor Brown,

I write to you today in support of AB 2888 by California Legislators Assemblyman Bill Dodd (D-Napa), Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) and Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo and Santa Clara) that would ensure incarceration to predators found guilty of sexual assault.

As the highest-ranking woman on the Armed Services Committee and the founder and Chair of the Congressional Women in the Military Caucus, I understand from testimonies that sexual assault can happen anywhere, anytime and by anyone.

In 2005, I successfully pushed to address sexual assault in the military with a policy that protects victims, empowers prosecutors, and creates a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual assault and abuse.

All victims of sexual assault deserve equal treatment regardless of socio-economics, education or immigration status. However, the reality is that the law can and has failed victims by giving well-connected and affluent predators like Brock Turner an advantage with an alumni judge who will neglect the crime and ultimately disregard the victim.

During the Turner hearing, the victim read aloud to the man who raped her, “You took away my worth, my privacy, my energy, my time, my intimacy, my confidence, my own voice, until today. The damage is done, no one can undo it. And now we both have a choice. We can let this destroy us, I can remain angry and hurt and you can be in denial, or we can face it head on, I accept the pain, you accept the punishment, and we move on.”

However, there was no real punishment in this case because a judge abused his discretion to help a favored athlete at his alma mater. There is a serious problem in this state where well-connected individuals believe they are above accountability for sexual assault and other criminal acts because they or their families are well connected. This bill should end any impression that absolute misuse of power and influence allows people to assault others sexually with virtual impunity.

I urge you to read the victim’s full statement (below) before you make a decision about AB 2888. What she feels and knows is the pain that too many other victims of sexual assault know: absent a real punishment, they feel like there was never a crime that took place and cannot move on.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to partnering with you to address the continuing violence against women.

Sincerely,

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA-46)

CC: Assemblyman Bill Dodd (D-Napa)
CC: Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley)
CC: Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo and Santa Clara)

Attachment: Transcript of Stanford victim’s statement


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To learn more about the campaign, please visit http://Loretta.org

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