Larry Nassar: a new beginning for justice
In the past months, the media has covered many stories concerning notable celebrities involved in sexual misconduct, rape and harassment suits. Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood mogul; Kevin Spacey, an award-winning actor; and most recently, a story that appalled the sports industry and the world: the conviction of Larry Nassar.
Larry Nassar was a world-renowned sports physician treating America's foremost Olympic women gymnasts during more than 30 years.
He was sentenced on the 24th of January 2018 to 40 to 175 years of prison by Judge Rosemarie Aquilina after 156 women gave testimony of Nassar’s abuses over his years as a doctor to the United States women's national gymnastics team.
The televised trial has caused millions of people to understand the process of how sexual abuse will no longer be accepted as cited by Olympic medalist Aly Raisman.
“Imagine feeling like you have no power and no voice. Well, you know what, Larry? I have both power and voice, and I am only beginning to just use them. All these brave women have power, and we will use our voices to make sure you get what you deserve: A life of suffering spent replaying the words delivered by this powerful army of survivors” said Aly Raisman addressing Larry Nassar during the trial.
Through this statement, Raisman made it clear that not only gymnasts, but every woman who has suffered abuse will no longer stay silent, and that women are going to start speaking up and no longer be afraid of the consequences of exposing a rapist.
Other survivors outlined during their testimonies that sexual abuse won’t be accepted and will be punished to stop the many powerful men who have used their influence and power to abuse young women.
“Little girls don’t stay little forever, they grow into strong women that return to destroy your world" said Kyle Stephens, one of Nassar's victims in a statement clarifying that victims of sexual abuse have a voice.
Kyle Stephens standing in the middle after the hearing with Rachael Denhollander on the left. Denhollander was notably referred to as the “whistleblower” as she was the first victim to initiate a legal procedure against Nassar.
During the trial, many women recounted their personal experience with Nassar stating that they were present to demonstrate that rape doesn’t go unpunished and that Nassar will spend the rest of his days in prison.
For the past months now, women, men, and celebrities have started initiatives in support of victims of sexual abuse to send a message that people will no longer tolerate such behaviour in any social, professional or conjugal environment.
Notable events in the past month were the Golden Globes, and the Grammy Awards where celebrities wore black in support of the victims and white roses as a sign of commitment to the cause.
Overall, Larry Nassar's sentencing told the world that sexual abuse will no longer be ignored or go unpunished. This has become a landmark case sending a very specific message,
“Time’s UP!”
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