Larry Nassar, the disgraced US sports doctor convicted of sexually abusing female gymnasts, was stabbed multiple times by an inmate at a federal prison in Florida. According to sources, Nassar was in stable condition on Monday, having been stabbed in the back and chest during an altercation on Sunday at the United States Penitentiary Coleman. The attack has sparked a mix of emotions among the victims, who are grappling with the trauma of reliving their abuse and the knowledge that protecting others from Nassar came with the almost certainty of facing such violence again.
Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to publicly accuse Nassar, tweeted that the attack does not bring her and other victims any joy. “We’re grieving the reality that protecting others from him came with the near-certainty we would wake up to this someday,” she said. Denhollander and many other victims have spoken out against violence and the devastating impact it can have on survivors. Sarah Klein, another victim, expressed similar sentiments in an emailed statement, stating that the attack forces her and others to relive their abuse and trauma “at the hands of Nassar and the institutions, including law enforcement, that protected him and allowed him to prey on children”.
The attack on Nassar comes as a reminder of the widespread abuse and trauma inflicted by him on his victims. During his trial, it emerged that Nassar had sexually assaulted athletes over the course of more than two decades, including Olympic medallists, while working at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics. He also pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography. The victims’ testimonies at his trial were often heart-wrenching, as they described the repeated instances of abuse and the ways in which it affected their lives.
Larry Nassar
The FBI’s failure to stop Nassar when allegations against him were reported in 2015 has also had a lasting impact on the victims. More than 100 women, including Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles, collectively sought over $1 billion in damages from the US federal government, with Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics also facing lawsuits. Michigan State eventually agreed to pay $500 million to over 300 women and girls who were assaulted by Nassar, while USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee made a $380 million settlement.
The attack on Nassar has also raised questions about the justice system and the handling of his case. In 2018, Nassar’s lawyers argued that he was treated unfairly and deserved a new hearing, citing the judge’s provocative comments during the sentencing hearing. However, the Michigan Supreme Court ultimately rejected his appeal, finding that the judge had stuck to the sentencing agreement worked out by lawyers in the case.
As the victims continue to grapple with the trauma of their abuse and the knowledge that violence can be a consequence of protecting others, they are also calling for accountability and justice. Nassar’s attack serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of his actions and the need for continued support and healing for his victims.
