Once known as one of the world’s best physicians who treated Division I athletes and U.S. Olympians, Larry Nassar will now spend the rest of his days in prison. Nassar was sentenced on Jan. 24, 2018 to up to 175 years in jail for the sexual abuse of his clients over decades. As if that was not enough, Nassar was also sentenced to 60 years in jail for child pornography charges. Nassar had pleaded guilty to seven counts of criminal sexual conduct in Ingham County, Mich. and admitted to using his trusted medical position to assault and molest girls under the disguise of medical treatment. As part of Nassar’s plea deal, over 150 courageous victims were able to speak in front of their abuser, including gold medalist and “Fab Five” members Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber. Arriving without any tears, Raisman took to the stand and voiced her striking words to Nassar. “Let this sentence strike fear in anyone who thinks it is okay to hurt another person. Abusers, your time is up. The survivors are here standing tall, and we are not going anywhere,” Raisman said.
Another gymnast that Nassar treated, 18-year-old Emily Morales, confronted the sexual predator and demanded an apology that had been long overdue. “Thanks to the court, I will not let him win … I want to forgive you and feel closure … I want you to apologize, right now,” Morales said.
The most disturbing aspect of the case is that many victims — athletes anywhere from Michigan State University to Olympians training at Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville, Texas — came forward and accused Nassar of molestation to the organizations and were shut down. Most remarkably, Raisman was one of the victims to use her platform to not only look into the eyes of her abuser, but to hold the organizations accountable for failing to see the damage that their world-renowned physical therapist was causing. Raisman enforced the idea that this problem is much larger than Nassar. U.S. Olympics and Division I athletics are also to blame. The Karolyi Ranch has since been terminated as a facility for U.S. Olympians to train.
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, whose sentencing and attitude towards Larry Nassar has dubbed her to many as a hero, was not going to let Nassar’s victims be silenced. Now, many victims and stories have been heard by millions, and served as a sense of closure. Aquilina was very stern and just in her statements to Nassar, saying that “I wouldn’t send my dogs to you, sir.” Nassar had even written a letter, stating that it was very hard for him to sit and listen to his victim’s accounts. Aquilina threw his letter to the side, and stated that although he may be in pain, it does not amount to the pain that he caused to the survivors. Aquilina should be praised for her work and has inspired many victims of sexual abuse to stand up and come forward. Judge Aquilina announced to the courtroom, “It stops now. Speak out like these survivors, become part of the army.” With her statement, “I have just signed your death sentence,” justice was served and heard, loud and clear. The monster known as Larry Nassar will nevermore be enabled to inflict damage and irreparable harm on trusting, unsuspecting athletes.