While Larry Nassar is in prison for the rest of his life, there is still so much work to be done around the cover-up at US Gymnastics. In 2015, the FBI had already begun speaking to Nassar’s victims, and they already received tips about Nassar’s serial child abuse of young gymnasts. The FBI decided to tread water for more than a year, and in that year, Nassar abused about 100 girls. Nassar’s victims, including some of the most famous gymnastics stars in the world, testified before Congress this week, trying to force the FBI and DOJ into accountability. Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Maggie Nichols, Kaylee Lorincz and Jessica Howard all testified and it was heart wrenching.
Angelina Jolie was also in Washington this week. She was taking meetings with senators and the Biden White House about reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. She happened to meet some of the young ladies testifying before Congress, and she posed for photos with them. She posted one of the pics on her new Instagram, with this message:
I was honored to meet with some of the brave US gymnasts who appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. I’m in awe of their courage and commitment to preventing future failures to investigate abuse. As Aly Raisman said in her testimony, “Over 100 victims could have been spared the abuse. All we needed was one adult to do the right thing.” Sending support and respect to them, and to all who are reliving this trauma so that system reforms can occur.
I was on Capitol Hill this week, engaging with Senators on the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization and FBI reforms, including better protections for abused children, non-biased forensic evidence collection, trauma care, and judicial training.
This is it: “Sending support and respect to them, and to all who are reliving this trauma so that system reforms can occur.” This is what I thought when I watched those incredibly brave and traumatized young women testify: how many times are they going to have to relive their trauma to get justice and accountability? Too many people blame women (and girls) for not coming forward, but this is what happens when they do come forward: reliving the trauma over and over, with no idea if people are actually going to do anything about it.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Instagram.
Yes, I had the same reaction. The victims have already testified. The DoJ has already released its report. The FBI has admitted to lying and suppressing files and evidence. The Judiciary Committee doesn’t need anything else, except for the cameras and publicity to make it look like they care.
The judiciary committee investigation is a public recounting. Think about the big scandals of our time, and how meaningful it is to have that public spotlight. I’m really glad they elevated this to a congressional investigation, and let these gymnasts testify.
And it’s deserved because it’s an inquiry into how and why the FBI messed up so badly. These young women were victimized twice.
It was gut wrenching to listen to the testimony of these young women. A sobering thought: these women were at the top of their fields. They were the elite, and they were treated like trash, ignored by their own organizations, belittled and shamed. If they were treated this way–Simone is the wealthiest, most famous, and most powerful gymnast in history–what happens to regular girls without power?
I’m so thankful for Simone for staying in the game, staying an extra year, dealing with the corrupt USAG another year. She ised her power for good. Because of her, the Karolyi ranch was shut down. Solely because of her. Because she stayed elite, the abuse couldn’t be swept under the rug.
In both 2012 and 2016, the ENTIRE GYMNASTICS WOMENS TEAM WERE ABUSED BY LARRY NASSAR. EVERY DAMN TEAM MEMBER. That’s astounding, horrifying, infuriating to me.
Thank you, gymnasts for speaking up. Maybe someday we will learn how to give a damn about girls in the USA.
“Because she stayed elite, the abuse couldn’t be swept under the rug. ”
What an excellent point! She took up the space to make the point, and blocked attempts to sweep this all under the rug. All with the entire lens of the global media on her. That is strength and power.
What a bunch of brave young ladies.
I love Angelina’s instagram. She’s actually an activist for the right reasons.
Congrats to both AJ and the you athletes for being brave. I hate that they have to keep reliving the trauma. Also sad to see how our government has used these young women to their benefit and then abused them instead of helping them. No different then other instances throughout this country’s (and others) history. Sad to see it on another level in 2021.
I read a WaPo article that described McKayla Maroney‘s testimony. She said that when she was describing her abuse in detailed ways to the FBI agent, she broke down in tears. The FBI agent said to her, “is that all?”
I’m outraged at the FBI. How could supposed professionals do this? They also lied on reports about what they’d done! People need to be held accountable.
More from the article.
“ Who at USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic committee knew about their abuse but ignored it or covered it up? Why did FBI agents seemingly go out of their way to protect a serial abuser? A scathing report by the Justice Department’s inspector general found that FBI agents involved in the case filed inaccurate reports and lied about their actions. Isn’t that cause for criminal prosecution? Justice officials declined to testify at Wednesday’s hearing.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/16/is-that-all-champion-gymnasts-experience-shows-how-sexual-abuse-is-not-taken-seriously/
@ Tiffany :), they should have testified. Their actions are inexcusable and unacceptable. Their needs to be criminal charges against every participant that allowed Nassar to continue his atrocities. It’s incredibly upsetting that all of the parties that were aware of Nassars conduct, continued to do nothing.
Have women become disposable again?
@ BothSidesNow “Have women become disposable again?” – just look at Texas.
I hope Angelina makes a movie out of this to show how braves these young ladies are. I don’t need to see more of Nassar, the DOJ, or the FBI. I want to see these gymnasts’ stories and Angelina could be the one to help tell it.
I hope not. She always misses the message. Too over handed
Yeah, her heart’s in the right place but she is not a good director. Not everyone has the talent to direct. Maybe if she found a more artistic producing partner, she could form a production company and hire directors who could make good movies about subjects that matter to her. It would be very her to give deserving, talented WOC more opportunities to be directors.
If she wants to continue making movies in that capacity at all, which, who knows?
@123Qwerty – how is Angelina’s presence in this, a distraction from the “real process”? She is simply using her enormous platform to gain more awareness to the horrible tragedy that happened to the hundreds of women, who were sexually abused by Larry Nassar – AND how it was covered up, swept under the rug by HUGE institutions. Like the FBI, USA Gymnastics, The U.S.A. Olympic Committee, and Michigan State (where Nassar also “treated” athletes). All of them, did not properly handle the reports of abuse, and as a result, hundreds more girls/boys were sexually abused.
Although Nassar will spend the rest of his life in jail, this is far from over. The people who ignored this, and covered up for this pedophile need to be held accountable, prosecuted/or indicted for their crimes. Therefore, Angelina’s presence here, only helps to bring more awareness to this Senate hearing IMO.
I can’t watch testimonies anymore, and the fact they have to go over details again and again is… well they might as well be waterboarded. I tried completing a documentary on this whole thing, but watching this monster in action triggered me so hard. And on top of palpable anguish, I cried like baby. Some of his assaults happened right in front of parents. It’s so sickening and so disturbing, these brave women should never have to explain themselves to another man ever again. And someone should superimpose the monster’s face on every picture of every dad on any judging panel posing with their daughters. It’s time to trigger some men.
Courage in action!
That these young women have to go over and over the details they have already gone over with authorities. Something tells me the men are titillated by the telling and that’s why they are forced to go through the trauma again and again.
I’m so angry I’m scared of myself…
These women are just so badass. Tough as nails. What they have been through is a travesty, trauma, and just an utter disgrace. All the adults failed. I am so sorry. I feel compelled to saythat, to apologize on behalf of adults. Just like with so many things these days, the big people messed up.
I admire Angelina Jolie and all the great work she’s doing for women and children. It’s nice seeing her get a chance to speak to the brave Gymnasts .. support other women ❤
Courage in action ; my admiration for all these women the gymnast and Angelina Jolie included for standing up and being counted.
Violence Against Women Act should and must be reauthorizing without any hesitation.
On of few celebs who uses her platform to actually and tangibly help people in this country and the world. Angelina Jolie’s commitment to her humanitarian convictions is commendable and I love her for it. 20 years and continuing.
Haters stay mad, you know you will, regardless of what she does.