Justice Department settles with survivors of Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse • Michigan Advance
Justice Department settles with survivors of Larry Nassar's sexual abuse • Michigan Advance Michigan Advance
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The U.S Department of Justice Reaches $138.7 Million Settlement in Larry Nassar Sexual Abuse Case
The U.S Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it reached a $138.7 million settlement with survivors of disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse for the failures of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to properly investigate Nassar’s abuse.
FBI’s Failure to Respond to Nassar’s Abuse
- The FBI’s response to Nassar’s abuse has been subject to public scrutiny, with a report from the Office of the Inspector General in July 2021 showing that the Indianapolis Field Office failed to inform other law enforcement agencies and possible victims of abuse after USA Gymnastics told them in July 2015 that several gymnasts had made accusations against Nassar.
- It wouldn’t be until September 2016 that The Indianapolis Star first reported the accusations against Nassar. About 70 or more young athletes are estimated to have been sexually abused by Nassar under the guise of medical treatment between the time the FBI found out about the accusations and the nearly 15 months that went by without those accusations coming to light.
Nassar’s Guilty Pleas and FBI’s Violations
- Nassar pleaded guilty in three criminal cases involving sexual assault and child pornography in courts from 2017 and 2018 and is serving essentially three life sentences in prison.
- The inspector general’s reports says that “despite the extraordinarily serious nature of the allegations and the possibility that Nassar’s conduct could be continuing, senior officials in the FBI Indianapolis Field Office failed to respond to the Nassar allegations with the utmost seriousness and urgency that they deserved and required, made numerous and fundamental errors when they did respond to them, and violated multiple FBI policies.”
Survivors’ Lawsuit and Testimonies
More than 100 athletes who survived Nassar’s sexual abuse joined in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice.
Olympic gymnasts, including Simone Biles, told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2021 how the FBI and other systems failed to protect young athletes from Nassar’s sexual violence.
Advocacy Groups and Settlement
As part of the fight against sexual violence, some survivors have joined and created different advocacy groups.
One such group, The Army of Survivors (TAOS), put out a statement Tuesday saying that although no amount of money can make up for the magnitude of pain so many survivors had to endure due to the betrayal of the systems meant to safeguard athletes, the settlement does mark an end to this legal fight.
Statement from TAOS Co-founder and President
TAOS co-founder and President Grace French offered her own statement. She is a survivor of Nassar’s abuse and has become a nationally recognized advocate for sexual assault survivor and athlete’s rights.
“This settlement marks not just a chapter’s close, but the start of a new narrative in sports — one where the voices of survivors catalyze the transformation towards an era of transparency, accountability, and safety for all athletes,” French said.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- Indicator: The article discusses the sexual abuse of young athletes by Larry Nassar, highlighting the failure of systems meant to safeguard athletes and protect them from sexual violence.
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SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
- Indicator: The article mentions the failures of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to properly investigate Nassar’s abuse, indicating a lack of equal access to justice for the survivors.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | The article discusses the sexual abuse of young athletes by Larry Nassar, highlighting the failure of systems meant to safeguard athletes and protect them from sexual violence. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | The article mentions the failures of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to properly investigate Nassar’s abuse, indicating a lack of equal access to justice for the survivors. |
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Source: michiganadvance.com
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