When Did Chanel Miller Read Her Impact Statement?

In 2015, Chanel Miller was sexually assaulted by Brock Turner while she was unconscious behind a dumpster on the Stanford University campus. The case gained national attention when her victim impact statement was published online and went viral. But when did Chanel Miller actually read her statement in court?

The Trial

The trial began on March 14, 2016, and lasted for six days. During the trial, witnesses testified about finding Miller unconscious and partially clothed behind a dumpster, while Turner’s defense team argued that the encounter was consensual.

Chanel Miller’s Testimony

On day four of the trial, Chanel Miller took the stand and testified about the assault. She described how she had gone to a party with her younger sister and a group of friends but had no memory of leaving or being assaulted until she woke up in a hospital bed.

Miller’s testimony lasted for over an hour and included details about how the assault had affected her physically, emotionally, and psychologically. She spoke about her struggles with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of the assault.

The Victim Impact Statement

After Turner was found guilty on three counts of sexual assault, it was time for Miller to deliver her victim impact statement. On June 2, 2016, Miller read her statement aloud in court.

Miller’s powerful statement detailed how the assault had impacted every aspect of her life – from physical pain to lost job opportunities to strained relationships with loved ones. She also spoke directly to Turner, telling him:

“You don’t know me, but you’ve been inside me..You made me a victim.You have dragged me through this hell with you.But here we are. Here I am, telling the truth.”

Miller’s statement went viral after it was published online by Buzzfeed News and viewed millions of times.

The Aftermath

Following the trial and the release of her statement, Miller became a prominent advocate for survivors of sexual assault. She wrote a memoir, “Know My Name,” which was published in 2019 and chronicled her journey of healing and seeking justice.

In September 2019, Miller revealed her identity to the public for the first time in an interview with “60 Minutes.” She has since continued to speak out about sexual assault and advocate for survivors.

Conclusion

Chanel Miller read her victim impact statement on June 2, 2016, several months after she had testified about her assault during Brock Turner’s trial. Her statement went viral and helped to spark a national conversation about sexual assault and the justice system. Today, Miller continues to be a powerful voice for survivors of sexual violence.