A man who sent a Facebook message reading, “So I raped you,” was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison for the sexual assault of Shannon Keeler on a Pennsylvania college campus. Judge Kevin Hess handed down the sentence, taking into account the defendant’s guilty plea, his remorse, and his history of mental illness.
During the court proceedings, Keeler delivered a powerful statement addressing the emotional scars left by the assault, which was not pursued for years. She expressed, “The system meant to protect me protected you instead,” reflecting on the vast struggles many women face in pursuing justice for sexual crimes.
Cleary’s actions, the nature of the sentencing, and the accompanying implications have sparked outrage and highlighted perceived systemic failures in addressing campus sexual assaults. Keeler's experience has turned into a rallying point for advocates pushing for better support and prosecution in such cases.
