Penna Dexter

Capping off a dramatic seven-day hearing last month, a Michigan judge delivered a 175-year prison sentence to former USA gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, for sexual abuse of patients.

Nassar, a physician at Michigan State University, was also the team doctor for the school’s gymnastics club. Testimonies from 156 of Nassar’s victims and 169 victim impact statements, revealed that for some of the gymnasts, the abuse began when they were children and continued for years.

How could this have gone on so long?

It’s now apparent that people and institutions that should have protected these young women didn’t.

Complaints to coaches reach as far back as 1997. A parent confronted Dr. Nassar himself in 1998.  He managed to convince this parent his actions were — uh — “medical.” In the ensuing years, coaches, university officials, gymnastics officials, and even some of the girls and some parents bought this argument. “I never thought a doctor would have misused his power so much,” said gold medalist Aly Raisman at Nassar’s sentencing.

In 2014, a student persisted in her complaint to the Michigan State sports medicine clinic. A Title IX investigation ensued; but, inexplicably, Nassar was cleared.

USA Gymnastics finally fired Nassar in 2015. He had worked for the organization since 1986 and served as its national medical coordinator since 1996. Still no charges.

In August 2016 the Indianapolis Star launched an investigation. A victim filed a police report and Michigan State fired Nassar the next month.

One survivor, Rachael Denhollander, said in her testimony, “This is what it looks like when the adults in authority do not respond appropriately to disclosures of sexual assault.”

Sports writer Jason Gay summarized, “This is what happens when institutions choose self-preservation over transparency, quiet settlement over uncomfortable truth.”

At the US Olympic Committee, there are resignations — and, hopefully investigations. But for now, victims of sexual abuse, or their parents if they are minors, should go beyond their institutions and directly to law enforcement.