“You don’t know me, but you’ve been inside me....” With those words, a sexual-assault victim addressed her convicted assailant at his sentencing on June 2, 2016—to no effect. Brock Turner, a Stanford University freshman facing up to 14 years in prison, was given just six months in Santa Clara County jail. It could have been almost any case in any courtroom. But the leniency, in this case, sparked international outrage, thanks to the woman’s victim-impact statement—a raw indictment not only of the man caught on top of her while she lay unconscious but also of a culture and a justice system that put the victim on trial. As the world read the searing words of Emily Doe, she remained anonymous even to many of her closest friends.
In the years since, the judge in the case, Aaron Persky, was recalled by county voters. Turner served only three months in jail. And Chanel Miller, who always imagined herself an author and illustrator of children’s books, worked at making sense of her own story. Now she’s introducing herself to the world, she says, in part because her story began with no identity. “I was found as a half-naked body, alone and unconscious. No wallet, no ID,” Chanel, 27, tells People. “Policemen were summoned, a Stanford dean was awakened to come to see if he could recognize me, witnesses asked around; nobody knew who I belonged to, where I’d come from, who I was.” Know My Name, excerpted here, finally reveals not just who she is but how she’s managed to heal. On her terms.
This story is from the October 7, 2019 edition of People.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 7, 2019 edition of People.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Michael Douglas
THE OSCAR WINNER, 79, STARS AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN IN THE NEW APPLE TV+ LIMITED SERIES FRANKLIN
Inside Sacha Baron Cohen & Isla Fisher's Split
Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher are calling it game, set and match on their 13-year marriage.
Brad Fires Back at Angelina After New Abuse Claim
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s battle over their French winery Château Miraval has taken another shocking turn.
Travis Kelce: 'I'm the Happiest I've Ever Been'
After winning three Super Bowl championships in five years, Travis Kelce certainly deserves some rest and relaxation.
SUBLIME'S JAKOB NOWELL CARRYING ON MY FATHER'S LEGACY
THE BAND'S FRONTMAN BRADLEY NOWELL DIED OF A HEROIN OVERDOSE IN 1996. NOW HIS SON JAKOB TAKES HIS DAD'S PLACE AFTER FACING HIS OWN ADDICTION ISSUES
MYSTERY IN THE CARIBBEAN
HOPING TO START A NEW LIFE WITH A NEW LOVE, SARM HESLOP MOVED TO THE ISLAND OF ST. JOHN. THEN SHE DISAPPEARED
'I FEEL SO GOOD NOW'
AFTER DECADES OF STRUGGLING WITH HER WEIGHT, THE SINGER HAS SWORN OFF SUGAR, LOST 45 LBS. AND IS LAUNCHING A COOKING SHOW: 'MY BODY'S THANKING ME'
Finally Taking the Lead
AFTER 34 YEARS AS THAT GUY YOU KNOW FROM SOMETHING, THE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN IS READY FOR HOUSEHOLD NAME FAME
All the World's Her Stage
THE QUEEN OF SHAKESPEARE REVEALS WHY SHE PREFERS THEATER TO FILM AND HOW LIFE TURNS INTO ART: 'NO ONE WHO HASN'T BEEN IN LOVE CAN EVER PLAY JULIET'
THE NEXT POWER PLAYERS
These stars have already made a name for themselves in HollywoodNow they're making moves to run the place