Olympic champion Aly Raisman confronts doctor who pleaded guilty to sexual abuse
Champion gymnast Aly Raisman confronted the doctor who pleaded guilty to sexual abuse and warned him that the testimony of the "powerful army" of 140 survivors will torment him in prison.
Around 80 women and girls, victims of Larry Nassar's abuses disguised as medical treatments, paraded through the court during the sentencing hearing that began on Tuesday. Often unable to contain their tears, the victims described Nassar's abuses and how it affected their lives.
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"You didn't take gymnastics away from me," Raisman said. "I love this sport, and that love is stronger than the evil in you, and in those who allowed you to hurt so many people."
The board of trustees of Michigan State University, where Nassar worked, requested that the state prosecutor investigate the university's actions when allegations were made against the doctor. The board also held a closed-door meeting as demands grow for the resignation or firing of university president Lou Ann Simon.
Raisman said that if only one adult had believed the young girls who accused Nassar and had "the courage and character to do something, this tragedy could have been avoided. And many others would never have met you, Larry, you should have been in prison a long, long time ago."
Nassar pleaded guilty to sexually abusing girls in his office at the university, in his home, and at a gymnastics club in Michigan, sometimes in the presence of parents. He had already been sentenced to 60 years in prison for a separate federal case involving child pornography, so the 54-year-old former doctor will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Raisman said she hopes that the testimonies of the victims haunt him forever.
"All these brave women have power, and we will use our voices to ensure you get what you deserve, a life of suffering remembering the words of this powerful army of survivors," Raisman said.
The prosecution requested 125 years in prison.