Aly Raisman on the Impact of Not Holding Perpetrators Accountable
Anna Schroedl, Victim Services Coordinator
Many of us have heard the story of Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor and physician at Michigan State University. Convicted of sexual assault crimes on more than 250 young women and girls, Nassar is currently incarcerated for 175 years after pleading guilty to his crimes. This USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal began in 2015, after numerous gymnasts and women alike accused him of countless years of sexual abuse, aging back as far as 1992. His trial was highly publicized, and his victims were given the opportunity to provide impact statements of his abuse. One of these survivors is Olympic medalist, Aly Raisman.
As many of us were taught growing up, doctors should and can be trusted. Nassar’s abuse of power in his position of trust has left an impact on these women. During Aly Raisman’s impact statement, she confronts Nassar, stating his abuse “leaves survivors questioning the organizations and even the medical profession itself, upon which so many rely.” Nassar was grooming and manipulating these young women and girls by telling them his abuse was for medical purposes, so they could continue playing the sport they loved. Treatments with Nassar were mandatory by the USA gymnastics team, and he took advantage of that. Raisman goes on to state “I felt guilty because you were a doctor, so I assumed I was the problem for thinking badly of you.” Nassar was abusing his victims for more than 20 years, however, he is not the only one who should be held responsible.
Aly continues by expressing her disappointment of the adults around Nassar:
“If over these many years, just one adult listened, and had the courage and character to act, this tragedy could have been avoided. I, and so many others, would of never, ever, met you. Larry, you should have been locked up a long, long time ago. Fact is, we have no idea how many people you victimized or what was done, or not done, that allowed you to keep doing it. And to get away with it for so long. Over those 30 years, when survivors came forward, adult after adult, many in positions of authority, protected you. Telling each survivor it was okay, that you weren’t abusing them. In fact, many adults had you convince survivors that they were being dramatic or they had been mistaken. This is like being violated all over again.”
During her victim impact statement, she calls out the USA Gymnastics Association for allowing this abuse to go on for so long. She demands policy change and for the trusted adults surrounding Nassar to be held accountable as well.
If one adult had spoken up over the years, many of these young women and girls would not be facing the aftermath of trauma perpetrated by Larry Nassar. This conversation is important not only in the gymnastics world, but in our communities as well. When a victim discloses to a trusted adult, they need to be believed and they need to be heard.
To listen to Aly Raisman’s powerful statement, click the link below.