In March 2013, two high school football players were sentenced to 2 years in juvenile detention for sexually assaulting an unconscious girl at a party.



As evidence emerged that school officials may have tried to cover up the case, the hacker group Anonymous publicized the rapists' social media posts and demanded an apology from local authorities. Now, one of those hackers, Deric Lostutter, may be facing longer jail time than the rapists themselves.



Anonymous greatly assisted in drawing national attention to the tragedy and to the culture of victim-blaming that existed both in the town of Steubenville and nationwide. To put Deric Lostutter in jail for up to 10 years will only reinforce public reluctance to demand justice on behalf of assault survivors.



Lostutter stood up to rape -- he shouldn't be prosecuted for it. Please tell the United States to drop charges against him.

Dear United States Government,

In Steubenville, Ohio, two high school football players were convicted of raping a girl at a party. However, the community worked hard to keep the status quo, with even the football coach trying to cover up the crime.

This is now being seen with the prosecution of Anonymous hacker Deric Lostutter, who worked hard to provide evidence of the rape through social media including Instagram pictures, tweets, and a video.

Lostutter could face up to ten years in prison, with the actual rapists only facing up to two years in juvenile detention. Lostutter shouldn't be punished for standing up to rape. Please drop charges against him.

Thank you for your time.