By now, the name Larry Nassar is well known as being synonymous with sexual abuse. The disgraced former physician for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University is now serving out a sentence that will last the rest of his life for the sexual assault he carried out on hundreds of young girls who sought his treatment. His recent sentencing has made national headlines amidst the uprising of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
Both initiatives are strong modern-day outcries for the safety, respect and equality of all women – far too many of whom have been sexually abused. The objectives of the movements are to both bring awareness to an epidemic that has gone uncovered for far too long and to put a stop to the villainous actions perpetrated against women every day.
USA Gymnastics has offered an apology.
Yesterday, USA Gymnastics CEO, Kerry Perry assisted #MeToo and #TimesUp movements with an official apology made before Congress in Washington, D.C. As reported by numerous websites including Newsmax.com, Perry apologized for the “despicable” sexual abuse of Olympics gymnasts at the hands of former team doctor, Larry Nassar. She went on to pledge to make athlete safety a top priority.
“Athlete safety must be at the forefront of everything we do,” Perry is quoted as saying, “Like all of you, I was appalled and sickened by the despicable crimes (of Nassar). I want to apologize to all who were harmed by the horrific acts. Let there be no mistake; those days are over. USA Gymnastics is on a new path, with new leadership, and a commitment to ensure this never happens again.”
Perry took over as USA Gymnastics president and CEO this past December. She took over for former CEO, Steve Penny who resigned following the Nassar scandal. Perry was not the only one to apologize to Congress for the heinous actions carried about by Nassar.
The US Olympic Committee (USOC) has also apologized.
Susanne Lyons is the acting CEO of the US Olympic Committee (USOC). As the Newsmax.com report informs, she told the House Energy and Commerce Committee that the “Olympic community failed the people it was supposed to protect” and that Nassar’s actions were “appalling and unacceptable”.
Yesterday’s apology was the appropriate move. However, it’s likely that it will do little to ease the ongoing pain of the many victims of Nassar. The sexual abuse took place over an astonishing two-decade period. Nassar purported to be offering medical treatments as a way to mask his evil actions. He has left his victims emotionally scarred for life.
Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney are among those victims. They all came forward to expose Nassar for the monster he is. As Newsmax.com reports, USA Gymnastics is not alone in trying to offer a sense of restitution to the disgraced doctor’s victims. “Earlier this month, Michigan State University announced it had reached a $500 million settlement with 332 former victims,” notes the site.
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