The number of sexually abused victims of former USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar has now risen to 265, as stated by a Michigan judge. The 54-year-old doctor was sentenced last week to 40 to 175 years in prison after nearly 160 women testified that he had molested them. From Olympic gold medal winners Aly Raisman to Jordyn Wieber, the list of those he sexually abused is now a lengthy and very disturbing one.
In the current hearing, the court sat to sentence him for molesting patients in the back room of Twistars gymnastics club in Dimondale, Michigan. The former Michigan State University (MSU) physician pleaded guilty in November to three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against girls for whom he was supposed to be providing medical care to. At least one of the sexual assaults included a victim younger than 13 years of age. Two of the victims were abused at 15 or 16 years old.The first to speak was 17-year-old Jessica Thomashow, who told the court, "He first molested me when I was nine (...) before I had braces, and when I still played with my American Girl dolls." "Larry Nassar preyed on us for his own pleasure, leaving in his wake traumatised and broken girls," she continued. She described him as "evil" and "a criminal of the worst kind".
Ms Thomashow's older sister was also abused by the doctor while studying at MSU. In this final sentencing, a minimum of 25 to 40 years is expected to be added to Nassar's prison sentence. He has also pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in federal court and was sentenced in December to 60 years in prison. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has been appointed a special prosecutor to investigate "every corner" of Michigan State, and several organizations have initiated investigations of USA Gymnastics. Schuette said that holding this sentencing hearing in Eaton County will "ensure that every voice of every survivor" is heard.
At this point, it makes us proud of these women who have dared it all to come and speak about the abuse.
