Law Schools

'Not The First Time I Have Received A Rape Threat': Stanford Law Prof Targeted Speaks Out

The professor was targeted over her activism.

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Michele Dauber

Yesterday, we told you about the threatening white substance received by a Stanford Law professor. Though the substance was found to be inert, part of the law school was closed while authorities made that determination, and investigation into the incident is ongoing. Now we know that the threat was made against Professor Michele Dauber, chairwoman of the Recall Persky Campaign.

You’ll recall Judge Aaron Persky rose to infamy as the California judge who sentenced Brock Turner, convicted rapist and former Stanford swimmer, to only six months in jail. Since then, Persky has been the subject of activist efforts trying to get him removed from the bench. The effort, led by Dauber, has resulted in putting the question of Persky’s recall on the ballot for voters in June. But not everyone has been thrilled with the activism against Persky.

As Law.com reports, the envelope Dauber received with the unidentified white substance contained a note, saying:

Since you are going to disrobe Persky, I am going to treat you like ‘Emily Doe’. Let’s see what kind of sentencing I get for being a rich white male.

But perhaps even more disturbing, Dauber revealed that dealing with rape threats has become a common consequence of her activism, saying:

Today is not the first time I have received a rape threat focused around my effort to defend sexual assault survivors and recall Judge Aaron Persky… It is the first time I received a rape threat accompanied with an unknown white powder that is intended to harm or scare me.

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But even though Dauber is prepared to deal with vile responses to her work, the reactions have gotten worse:

“Judge Persky’s campaign continues to use hate-filled language and continues to actively defend Brock Turner and attack Emily Doe and me personally,” she said. “The verbal attacks have continued to escalate.”

University Provost Persis Drell has come out in defense of Dauber, saying such actions intended to threaten or silence professors are “absolutely unacceptable.” The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

headshotKathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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