Hours after disgraced Team USA doctor Larry Nassar pleaded guilty to multiple charges of sexual assault in a Lansing, Mich., courthouse, one of his most famous victims believes it’s too little, too late.
“It is about time that Larry plead guilty and owned up to his actions,” Aly Raisman shared Wednesday in a lengthy statement posted on her social media accounts. “I am beyond disgusted that a decorated Olympic and USA Gymnastics doctor was able to prey upon so many over such a long period of time.”
Raisman, 23, revealed in an interview with “60 Minutes” earlier this month that Nassar, 54, had sexually abused her. She detailed the disturbing encounters in her new memoir, “Fierce.”
“I would grit my teeth,” Raisman wrote of the “uncomfortable sessions” with Nassar, via People, “trying to convince myself that all this was part of the healing process. The truth was he never made my injuries feel any better, but I always obeyed because he had a reputation for being the best doctor.”
While Raisman’s fellow teammates, McKayla Maroney, 21, and Gabby Douglas, 21, also have shared their stories of abuse at the hands of Nassar, the decorated medalist has made it her mission to be part of the long-term solution.
“Until we fully understand the flaws in the system that allowed this to happen in the first place — and enabled it to continue for decades — we can’t be confident it won’t happen again,” Raisman said. “We need more than optimistic assurances, we need answers. We need to take a hard, honest look at the sport’s culture, governance, and leadership so we can understand the problem, and come up with solutions that will make the sport safe for current and future generations.”
Though USA Gymnastics already has announced it has embraced a new “safe sport policy,” requiring the “mandatory reporting” of any suspected sexual abuse, Raisman demands more.
“I am determined to work towards real and meaningful change. Abuse is never ok; ONE TIME IS TOO MANY AND ONE PERSON IS TOO MANY,” she continued. “We may never know how many others may be suffering in silence and therefore it is important for us to have an environment where it is safe and comfortable for those to come forward.”
Nassar faces at least 25 years in prison. His sentencing is set for Jan. 12.