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Police Department Apologizes for Its Handling of Larry Nassar Allegations: 'We Wish We Had This One Back.'


While court is adjourned until tomorrow in the Eaton County sentencing of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, but there is still news breaking around the case. The local police in Meridian Township convened a press conference Thursday afternoon apologize for their initial handling of allegations against Nassar by Brianne Randall-Gay in 2004.

Randall-Gay, then 17, filed a sexual assault complaint to the local police that claimed Nassar touched her breast and vagina for several minutes during a visit that was meant to be an exam about her scoliosis but it was never prosecuted. Per a newly released police report, a few interviews were conducted but the lead detective concluded—after speaking to Nassar—that the reported abuse was a legitimate medical procedure. According to Deadspin, there is no indication that the police contacted other medical professionals for an opinion, nor did they contact Children’s Protective Services. Deadspin also called Sgt. Al Spencer, who reportedly oversaw the case, and he told them, “To be honest with you, I don’t recall the case at all. I don’t have any memory of it.” McCready is still on the force, while Spencer is retired.

During the emotional press conference, Meridian Township manager Frank Walsh and Chief of Police Dave Hall publicly apologized to Randall-Gay, who participated via Skype from Seattle. Walsh and Hall both recounted the emotional phone call they made to Randall-Gay (and her family) to apologize for the mishandling of her case back in 2004. They offered to fly to Seattle to apologize in person and when she let them know she had decided to come to read an impact statement at Nassar’s sentencing, they offered to pay for her ticket. They were also in the courtroom that day. Both expressed gratitude for the grace that Randall-Gay had shown them in accepting their apology and vowed to make it a mission to not let this happen again.

To that point, Chief Hall outlined three initiatives for the township to undertake. First, they will be instituting new training procedures for all of their officers and civilian staff, bringing in experts from outside the force to conduct said training. Randall-Gay has also agreed to film a video about her own experience for the officers to learn from. The second initiative is to look back at all criminal sexual conduct reports (CSCs) from 2000 to the present day to make sure nothing has been missed. Hall confirmed that no other medical expert was consulted in Randall-Gay’s case and that there is no reason to believe that the prosecutor’s office was ever made aware of the case.

“We wish we had this one back,” said Hall. “We want to do better.” From this point forward, the chief will now sign off on all CSC reports. And finally, Randall-Gay herself will be helping to develop a community-wide outreach program to young people understand criminal sexual conduct and how to report it to the authorities.

Randall-Gay said that the apology has helped her further process her trauma. “It will not erase the pain I suffered, but it was therapeutic.” She also vowed to continue to work toward systemic change, “I fight today […] so the next little girl won’t have to suffer for 14 years.” It is incredibly powerful, even as a viewer, to watch people own their mistakes and try to make changes that will better their community. Let’s hope others follow suit. As Walsh said, “We can’t rewind the tape, but we can have an effect on the tape moving forward.”



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Larry Nassar is Back in Court, Where More Than 60 Women Are Scheduled to Speak


As of Wednesday, Larry Nassar is officially back in court—this time in Eaton County, Michigan—for yet another round of sentencing. Yes, Nassar has already been sentenced to 40-175 years in prison in Ingham County, but this new courtroom appearance relates to an entirely different case brought against the former USA Gymnastics doctor.

The details of the new case: While last week’s sentencing primarily centered on sexual abuse during Nassar’s time at Michigan State University, the Eaton County case is focused on women who allege that Nassar abused them at Twistars Gymnastics Club. Nassar has already entered a guilty plea in this case (similar to last week’s proceedings) and the plea agreement calls for a minimum of 25-40 years in prison. Though this case was only brought against Nassar by three plaintiffs, any and all victims of Nassar are invited to make impact statements. This includes any of the women who already delivered statements at the last week’s sentencing, where an unprecedented 150 women spoke out. (In the Michigan courtroom today, a judge said that 265 women have accused Nassar of abuse in all.)

Twistars, where survivors allege the sexual abuse occurred, is a gym that was run by 2012 Olympic coach John Geddert, who has also been accused of abuse. Survivors have described a pattern where Geddert would physically abuse them and then push them to seek treatment from his good friend, Nassar. Geddert has been suspended by USA Gymnastics and retired from Twistars, but it’s likely that survivors in the courtroom throughout the coming days will mention him as well as Nassar.

Who is slated to appear in the courtroom: The New York Times estimates that over 65 women will share impact statements during the Eaton County hearing, though that number may grow. The sentencing hearing is set to begin Friday morning and continue through Monday and Tuesday of next week, giving an opportunity for more survivors to speak.

In the courtroom today, more than 30 women (including some who have chosen to remain anonymous) shared their stories and addressed Nassar directly. Among them was Annie Labrie, who warned the court, “A pedophile cannot flourish in the way Larry did and in an environment that is not conducive to his behavior. It is imperative we as society do not view this as an isolated incident.” Katherine Ebert also spoke in the courtroom, telling Nassar: “You are the most vile, disgusting creature I have ever met. There are black holes in my memory that come back as nightmares or flashbacks, not wanting to believe they’re true.”

There will reportedly be some overlap in the women appearing in the courtroom to make statements—like 17-year-old Jessica Thomashow, who was the first to speak today—but Olympians like Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney aren’t expected to appear.

One key similarity—a female judge: A central element in the Ingham County case was the incredible work by presiding Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who became a pillar of support for the young women. One of her most notable lines, “Leave your pain here and go out and do your magnificent things,” became a rallying cry. In Eaton County, the sentencing is being presided over by Judge Janice K. Cunningham, and while she has yet to exhibit the same oratorial style of Judge Aquilina, she is presiding over a courtroom that will welcome as many statements as survivors wish to give, and today’s statements have already proved heart wrenching.

To be sure, the legacy of last week’s powerful testimonies is certainly felt in the courtroom and by those survivors who have chosen to speak in Eaton. And it is no less important that their voices be heard. Tiffany Dutton addressed this directly today, saying, “On this day, I’ve decided to fully relinquish my anonymity as a symbol to myself that there is absolutely nothing I have to be ashamed or afraid of.” She told the court, “Due to the bravery and courage of the many women who appeared in Ingham County to face our predator, I am no longer fearful. To all of them I will be ever grateful.”

We’ll be following the events in the courtroom—and spotlighting these brave women and teenagers’ stories—as the hearings in Eaton County progress this week.

READ MORE: ‘It Ends Now’: The Survivors of Larry Nassar, in Their Own Words



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USA Gymnastics' Entire Board Has Resigned Following the Larry Nassar Sexual Abuse Scandal


Following the sentencing on Wednesday of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, USA Gymnastics’ entire board of directors is resigning, according to an ESPN story published Saturday. Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of criminal sexual conduct and admitting he abused his position as a trusted doctor. More than 150 people, including former Olympians McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman, gave powerful impact statements in court leading up to the sentencing.

After the sentencing, the United States Olympic Committee put pressure on USA Gymnastics to remove their existing board with the threat of decertification—essentially stripping them of their position as gymnastics’ “governing body,” according to ABC—if the board didn’t resign in full by January 31.

The executive board, made up of four members, resigned on Monday. At the time of the sentencing, there were 16 other members in place (all of whom are unpaid volunteers), according to ABC. Then on Friday, USA Gymnastics issued a statement implying that they intended to comply with the USOC’s ultimatum: “USA Gymnastics supports the United States Olympic Committee’s letter and accepts the absolute need of the Olympic family to promote a safe environment for all of our athletes. We agree with the USOC’s statement that the interests of our athletes and clubs, and their sport, may be better served by moving forward with meaningful change within our organization, rather than decertification.” A spokesperson for USA Gymnastics confirmed the mass resignation with ABC.

The USOC also is asking USA Gymnastics to create an interim board by the end of the month; to install a permanent one in the next year; to accept more oversight from USOC; and to undergo ethics and SafeSport training (the USOC partner organization addresses sexual misconduct, assault, and bullying, among other topics).

The USOC’s letter does not imply that any board members were complicit in covering up the abuse of gymnasts by Nassar: “We do not base these requirements on any knowledge that any individual USAG staff or board members had a role in fostering or obscuring Nassar’s actions,” the letter reads, according to ABC. “Our position comes from a clear sense that USAG culture needs fundamental rebuilding.”

Related Stories:
–The First Gymnast to Expose Nassar Writes Powerful Op-Ed: ‘Nothing Could Have Prepared Me’
–How to Talk to Children About Abuse in the Wake of the Larry Nassar Trial
–‘It Ends Today’: The Survivors of Larry Nassar, in Their Own Words



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Rachel Denhollander on Being the First Gymnast to Expose Larry Nassar: ‘I Lost Every Shred of Privacy'


Facing down your sexual predator takes a strength, determination and grit that few people can understand. Just read what Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to come forward and publicly accuse Larry Nassar of sexual assault, had to do and you’ll see why.

As Denhollander wrote in a powerful new op-ed for The New York Times, she was first sexually abused by Nassar in 2000 when she was just 15 years old. It wasn’t until 2016 that Denhollander, now a lawyer, mother, and coach herself, came forward to tell her story to both the Indianapolis Star and the police.

“I came as prepared as possible: I brought medical journals showing what real pelvic floor technique looks like; my medical records showing Larry had never mentioned using techniques; other records from a nurse practitioner documenting my disclosure of abuse in 2004; my journals from that time; and a letter from a neighboring district attorney vouching for my character,” she wrote.

It should have been all business after that, but, as Denhollander explained, what happened next took her by surprise.

“My education as an attorney prepared me for the process and presentation. But absolutely nothing could have prepared me for the pain of being the first to go public with my accusations in The Indianapolis Star,” she wrote. “I lost my church. I lost my closest friends as a result of advocating for survivors who had been victimized by similar institutional failures in my own community.” Most importantly, she added, “I lost every shred of privacy.”

The things Nassar did to her, and more than 200 other women, including “degrading and humiliating sex acts without my consent or permission,” lead Denhollander to stop competing in the sport she loved at 16. Years later, his disgusting actions left her without the protective barrier of a private life as well.

“When a new friend googled my name or added me as a friend on Facebook, the most intimate details of my life became available long before we had even exchanged phone numbers. I avoided the grocery stores on some days, to make sure my children didn’t see my face on the newspaper or magazine. I was asked questions about things no one should know when I least wanted to talk,” she wrote.

Yet somehow, through all this, Denhollander knew she wasn’t just doing something good for herself by coming forward, but also something great for other past and would-be victims of both Nassar’s and other predators.

As Denhollander explained, Nassar expertly ingratiated himself into the gymnastics community and became a trusted and respected figure. Moreover, Denhollander noted, “Research shows that every pedophile is also reported an average of at least seven times before adults take the reports of abuse seriously and act on them.” This, she added, was exactly why people are often afraid to speak out after they are abused. Because it simply takes so long for someone to believe you.

Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison and will undoubtedly spend the rest of his life there. This sentence was a victory for his victims, no doubt, but what may be an even greater win would be what Denhollander added in her op-ed: “To encourage and support those brave enough to speak out against their own communities.” She added, “Ask yourself: How much is a child worth?Everyone decent human being knows the answer to that question. Now it is time to act like it.”

Read the whole story here.

Related Content:
Aly Raisman Releases Powerful Statement Following Nassar Sentencing: ‘Today Was an Important Victory, but There Is Still Work to Be Done’
‘It Ends Today’: The Survivors of Larry Nassar, In Their Own Words
How to Talk to Children About Abuse in the Wake of the Larry Nassar Trial



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Larry Nassar Was Sentenced. What Happens Next?


On Wednesday, Larry Nassar — the former doctor for the American gymnastics team — was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for multiple sex crimes. The sentencing took a grueling seven-days and drew more than 150 young women to speak publicly about the abuse they suffered at his hands. Nassar was accused of molesting girls, some as young as six years old, under the guise that he was giving them medical treatment and examinations. While the sentencing ended with Judge Rosemarie Aquilina signing Nassar’s “death warrant” (her words, not ours!), the ramifications of this case are far from over. Here, a list of everything that’s happened in the wake of Nassar’s sentencing. We will continue to update this post with further developments.

The Olympic Committee Gave USA Gymnastics Board Six Days to Resign

Scott Blackmun, The US Olympic Committee’s CEO, has asked the USA Gymnastics board of directors to resign in the next six days. Blackmun declared that USAG will lose its status as a governing sports body if they do not meet his demands and name an interim board by February 28. Additionally, he has given USAG twelve months to replace the interim board. Other requirements include cooperating with an independent investigation into the abuse, and implementing ways to stop abuse, based on a former prosecutor’s report highlighting USAG’s shortcomings in combating mistreatment. Earlier this week, USA Gymnastics issued a statement in support of the Olympic Committee saying, “USA Gymnastics and the USOC have the same goal – making the sport of gymnastics, and others, as safe as possible for athletes to follow their dreams in a safe, positive and empowered environment.”

MSU Failed to Turn Over Documents Outlining Nassar’s Sexual Assault

A new report by ESPN alleges that MSU failed to turn over documents outlining accusations of sexual assault against Nassar to federal Title IX investigators — despite an ongoing investigation by the campus police, occurring at the time.

The President of Michigan State University Resigned

In addition to Nassar’s work for USA Gymnastics, he also worked at Michigan State University from 1997 — 2016. On Wednesday evening, the University’s president, Lou Anna Simon, stepped down from her post after the state’s US Senators, the state’s House of Representatives, and the University’s newspaper all called for her to resign. In a statement, Simon declared, “To the survivors, I can never say enough that I am so sorry that a trusted, renowned physician was really such an evil, evil person who inflicted such harm under the guise of medical treatment… As tragedies are politicized, blame is inevitable. As president, it is only natural that I am the focus of this anger.” As of now, it remains unclear how long Simon will remain in her position.

Two Senators Are Demanding Answers from USA Gymnastics

Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who are both in charge of a subcommittee overseeing consumer protection, signed a letter sent to USA Gymnastics CEO calling for more information about the “systemic failures” regarding Nassar’s abuse. They’ve also called on the U.S. Olympic Committee and Michigan State for a deeper look at their policies on reporting sexual assault.

Gymanstics Coach John Geddert is Accused of Further Abuse

Coach John Geddert — owner of Twistars, another gym that Nassar worked at— is once again accused of abuse. Earlier this week, Geddert was suspended by USA gymnastics and on Tuesday he sent a letter to his clients at Twistars announcing his retirement. On Wednesday, in a news conference in Lansing, Michigan, Lindsay Lemke alleged that Geddert was “abusive… [and] deserves to be in jail with Larry.” Other survivors also alleged abuse against Gedder during the trial, claiming that he’d physically abuse them and then push them to seek treatment from his dear friend, Nassar. As of Thursday afternoon, Geddert has officially been removed from the Twistars website, and his wife is now listed as its owner.

Nassar Still Faces a Third Sentencing

He will be sentenced in Easton County, MI for molesting an additional three minors. The plea agreement calls for a minimum of 25 — to 40 years in prison. Victims will also be allowed to testify there, though it’s believed less will speak than at this week’s trial.

And What About Those Civil Lawsuits?

More than 150 lawsuits have been filed by Nassar’s accusers in federal courts in Michigan, and state court in California, and are still pending. These civil law suits allege that the institutions and people that were responsible for protecting Nassar’s patients, failed. One of the prominent civil suits comes from Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney, who was purportedly paid $1.25 million dollars in a settlement not to discuss her sexual abuse allegations.



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How to Talk to Children About Abuse in the Wake of the Larry Nassar Trial


This week, more than 150 women—including Olympians Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney— testified in the Larry Nassar trial that Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor, sexually abused them. Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison on Wednesday, bringing the trial to an end, but the testimony from that courtroom will have a lasting impact on women worldwide—both the survivors and those who heard their words.

One of the most common refrains in many of the women’s testimonials, was how they had always been told no one could touch them “down there”—except a doctor. But Nassar was a doctor—one who preyed on that exact mentality and trust to take advantage of his patients. Surely many parents heard these words and wondered if they should rethink how they talk to their daughters about sexual abuse and safety.

While different ages require different approaches, you want to teach your kids about their bodies, someone else’s body, and the concept of boundaries and personal space, says Susan Abbott, M.D., a child and adolescent psychiatrist and a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. “By doing that, you’re giving them the language to communicate so that if something should occur, they have the tools to not keep it to themselves or be swallowed up by shame and fear,” she says.

You can start having these discussions as early as you feel comfortable, says Dyan Hes, M.D., the medical director of Gramercy Pediatrics in New York City. “I recommend that when parents give their [young] child baths, they tell them: Mommy and Daddy, your grandparents, maybe a babysitter, we’re the only people allowed to clean you. And if anybody ever comes and asks to touch you or pull down your pants or if you think that they shouldn’t be seeing your private areas—even a doctor—you have to tell us,’” says Dr. Hes.

Another red flag that kids should definitely be aware of: “What nearly all sexual abusers say is, ‘Don’t tell anyone.’ Nobody should be asking a child to keep secrets,” says Dr. Hes. You want your kids to know that if someone tells them “This is between us,” or “What we have is special,” your child should tell their parents immediately. You can also work with your child on learning to identify their feelings. “You’d be surprised how many kids don’t have the education to understand anger, disappointment, or other emotions,” says Dr. Abbot. “I tell kids that feelings are their sixth sense—and the feelings that occur with abuse are typically confusion and shame. So it’s important to teach kids that if they ever feel confused or ashamed in a ‘secret’ situation with an adult, they need to tell Mommy and Daddy.”

Empowering children to speak up, even against adults in authority positions, may truly be the only way to stop this kind of abuse. In many cases—like Nassar’s—even the adults that were initially told were part of a larger system that avoided confronting that abuse. But children should know they don’t have to stop at one adult. “You have to stress to kids, if anybody is ever harming them and one adult doesn’t help them, they have to find the next adult,” says Dr. Hes. “I know it sounds crazy, but tell them to go to the police, a fireman, a nurse—those jobs are all mandated to report abuse.”

“The one thing you want to teach your kids is not to be silent,” agrees Dr. Abbott. “And as a parent, you’re the one who has the give them the language to tell someone what happened.”



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