More than 500 women sought compensation for the sexual abuse suffered at the hands of Larry Nassar, who for 18 years was the main doctor for the US Olympic gymnastics team
Survivors of sexual abuse perpetrated by a US Olympic doctor have spoken out after being awarded $380 million in compensation after the “hellish” case.
The payout will be given to the hundreds of women who were sexually abused by Larry Nassar, the former doctor for the US women’s gymnastics team, after a five-year battle with the USA Gymnastics governing body.
Hundreds of girls and women, including Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney, sought compensation for the sexual abuse suffered at the hands of Nassar while he worked for the national team.
Rachael Denhollander, who in the fall of 2016 was the first woman to come forward to detail sexual abuse at the hands of Nassar, said the provisions were a pivotal part of the mediation process.
Speaking of the gruelling five-year process to reach a settlement, she said: “It’s been hellish for all of us.
“To have to push for so long for the right things to take place, to have to push for so long to have justice happen … it should have never taken five years.”
Complaints by more than 500 women related to his position at Michigan State University, USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians, and a Michigan gym.
“USA Gymnastics is deeply sorry for the trauma and pain that survivors have endured as a result of this organisation’s actions and inactions,” USAG President and CEO Li Li Leung said in a statement.
“Individually and collectively, survivors have stepped forward with bravery to advocate for enduring change in this sport.
“We are committed to working with them, and with the entire gymnastics community, to ensure that we continue to prioritise the safety, health and wellness of our athletes and community above all else.”Michelle Simpson Tuegel, who represents more than two dozen Nassar survivors, said in a joint statement with Tasha Schwikert Moser, co-chair of the Survivors Creditors Committee: “This settlement is about the brave survivors who came forward, forced these organisations to listen, and demanded change.” (inews)