I have a few choice words I would like to say to former USA Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Nassar. This case against Nassar has been pretty black and white, considering the abundance of women who have come out about what he did to them; according to the New York Times, over 160 women had claims of sexual assault against Nassar. That is absolutely ridiculous. In the same article, the age of one of the youngest victims was six years old. It’s so saddening to me that Nassar chose to take the innocence away from these girls. In the article, gymnast Mattie Larson claimed that, with the help of Nassar’s abuse, the sport she loved turned into her “personal living hell.” That should never happen to any athlete.

If you were following the case, you probably know that he wrote a letter to the court about how he shouldn’t have to hear the survivors’ testimonies against him. That really irritated me because, to me, that is the absolute least he can do considering all of the emotional damage he burdened those girls with.. By doing this, he doesn’t have to  own up to what he did and can continue to use his medical qualifications to justify violating those girls.

I am so proud of the women who spoke out against Nassar until justice was served. It took way too long for the assaults to break to the media. I’m glad that someone finally listened and brought justice to that monster.

With such a high-profile case as this one, it brings up the point that voices are powerful. People should never be afraid to speak up when something isn’t right, whether it be something as small as a number wrong on the board or as big as sexual assault. Something like sexual assault should never be kept secret. If it feels wrong, it’s probably wrong and shouldn’t be happening. Go with your gut and don’t doubt yourself, even if people say otherwise.