Shannon Keeler’s hard and long fight for justice has come to an important turning point on Monday. Ian Cleary was sentenced to two to four years in prison for sexually assaulting her at a fraternity party during 2013. The story played out on the campus of Gettysburg University in Pennsylvania. The most notable point of emphasis and most courageous act came when Keeler faced her assailant on the stand.
In what was clearly an emotional moment, Keeler looked at Cleary and told him exactly how his actions affected her life. Her clash is the culmination of almost a dozen years spent fighting for justice. It all began a few days after the attack, when an unusual Facebook message led to an arrest warrant for Cleary.
When all this went down, Keeler was still a student at Gettysburg University. Later, she told that story in an emotional interview with ABC News’ Juju Chang, which ran on “Good Morning America.” She expressed the weight of the moment in court, saying, “I was shaking and tearing up a bit, but it felt really good to be able to look him in the eyes and tell him what he did to me.”
Ian Cleary’s confession was a turning point in the case. After decades of being a victim, survivor, and never having closure, his confession provided Keeler the opportunity of meeting her attacker in person. This brave move encourages hundreds of thousands of victims to get their power back. The sentencing serves as a reminder of the long and often difficult process that survivors endure in their pursuit of justice.
This case serves as an important reminder of the challenges sexual assault survivors encounter. The legal system can be intimidating and confusing even under the best circumstances. Keeler’s determination throughout this nearly decade-long journey resonates with many advocates for survivors’ rights, who continue to push for more systematic changes in how such cases are handled.
