"He turned to me after and said: ‘So the judge says as long as I have a clean record and I’m 18 I can get away with sexual assault and it’s not my fault. It’s the underage victim’s fault for drinking. It’s the parents’ fault. It’s everyone’s fault but mine,’” Scott Vaughan.

That's what we heard, too.

Thank you to this family for sharing the information that they have. This story means so much to so many people because it "hits home" for so many. But at the end of the day, this is your home.

It's your life.

And you haven't had to be as open to sharing this tragedy with us as you have been. No matter what happens going forward, the whole world is rooting for you. We hear your voices, and we believe you.

You are giving hope and healing to so many survivors who are struggling. And you are doing it while you are still struggling as well.

Please be proud of yourselves for the stand you are taking,
for you, for our community - for all of us.

You are the home of the brave.
________________________

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.

Quote sourced from the following Independent Exclusive:
‘In 15 minutes he destroyed all the healing’: Father blasts judge for ‘muzzling’ daughter by reversing rape verdict