Judges continue to show more compassion for convicted rapists than victims with grossly lenient sentences, justifying them by citing a desire to avoid “impacting his college experience” or “destroying his future.” Many nonviolent drug offenses have mandatory minimums, but judges are not required to sentence sex offenders to any jail time; this prioritizes rapists’ futures over victims’ suffering and our communities’ safety, and contributes to non-reporting.
Given the extreme, lasting impact on victims, the violent nature of these crimes, and rapists' high recidivism rates (https://sapac.umich.edu/article/198), this petition calls on Congress to institute mandatory minimum sentences for sex offenders to protect past and potential victims and prevent more rapists from escaping justice.



