Larry Nassar (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)
On Wednesday, January 24, 2018, justice was finally served on a nice platter of “you cannot do anything about how many years I am sentencing you” to Larry Nassar. Circut Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina sentenced Nassar up to 175 years (2100 months) in prison making it so that he is not eligible for parole until 2117. The 54-year-old man who was the former U.S Gymnastics Olympic and Michigan State University doctor recently plead guilty to 10 counts of criminal sexual conduct. (HLN) After decades of Nassar’s occurring abuse, more than 150 women came forward to share their testimonies. Among those testimonies shared, one belonging to Olympic Gold Medalist Aly Raisman, who described how Nassar took advantage of the “mandatory treatments” the girls had with him. Raisman continued to say that Nassar has caused her “A great deal of physical, mental, and emotional pain,” also saying in an interview with (NBC’S “Today”) that this issue is “Bigger than just Larry Nassar,” and that “We need to hold these organizations accountable.”
Larry Nassar (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Since this whole trial began, Michigan State University has been getting a lot of backlash about their response to the issue at hand. With the belief that many MSU faculty members are involved with “covering up” what Nassar had done for over 30 years, it comes as no surprise to me that right after his sentencing, the Michigan State University president handed in her resignation. Even last year, Kathie Klages, the former MSU head women’s gymnastics coach retired after the allegations against Larry Nassar began to pile up. This whole case was very heartbreaking, hearing some of these “COURAGEOUS” women’s testimonies made me occasionally tear up, so I cannot imagine the amount of trauma they have had to endure.
Victims and Others listening to testimonies (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)
The fact that so many women have had to go so long with their voices being unheard saddens me. Sexual harassment is an issue that the United States normalizes way too often especially when it is happening to a WOMAN. Furthermore, it sucks that in order for people to listen to a victim, it takes more than one case against their predator.
As of today, Friday, January 26, 2018, ever since the allegations of sexual harassment and rape against Harvey Weinstein occurred, over 100 public figures have been accused of sexual misconduct. Sexual harassment is very serious and seems that many view it as a joke. A joke that needs to permanently end. (Time)