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Teenage Rape Victim Tweets Names of Her Attackers

Savannah Dietrich, 17, broke the rules of juvenile court

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 23, 2012 4:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – An angry teenage rape victim turned to Twitter for what she considered greater justice, and she got it. Savannah Dietrich, 17, shocked her attackers by violating a court order and tweeting their names. “There you go, lock me up,” she tweeted. “I’m not protecting anyone that made my life a living Hell.” Savannah said she was astonished to see the boys get "a very, very light deal" in court after raping her at a party, circulating photos of it, and pleading guilty, she told the Courier-Journal. "I wasn't happy with it, at all."

The boys' attorneys wanted her held in contempt for breaking the confidentiality of juvenile court—a charge that could put her in jail for 180 days. But they withdrew the motion today. “What could contempt do now?” said a lawyer, after the boys' names had circulated online. As for Savannah, she "greatly appreciates the overwhelming support from all over the world," her lawyer said. Legal experts say such cases are increasingly common, because victims who once complained only to friends can now post their grievances online.

Savannah Dietrich, 17, violated a court order by tweeting the names of two boys who raped her.
Savannah Dietrich, 17, violated a court order by tweeting the names of two boys who raped her.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 69 comments
YankeeJane
Jul 24, 2012 6:20 PM CDT
So, Newser, you can't be held in contempt because the judge didn't order you not to mention the names.  What are their names?
SaturnGirl
Jul 24, 2012 10:10 AM CDT
She did the right thing.  As long as our society gives more rights and protections to the criminals, rather than the victims, you will see this type of behavior continue.  As long as we continue to protect names,they will not really feel the punishment.  Sometimes the shame of knowing that everyone knows what you did, will straighten people up.  At least they know their behavior is being watched.
bewilderbeast
Jul 24, 2012 1:02 AM CDT
Well done Savannah!! Good luck brave girl!
 

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