SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Nancy Armour believes the court system served justice with Nassar's sentencing of up to 175 years in prison, however, there are many lessons still needed to be learned from this nightmare of a story. USA TODAY Sports
INDIANAPOLIS — Larry Nassar was sentenced Wednesday to up to 175 years in prison, after 156 women and girls made victim-impact statements over seven days about the abuse and anguish he caused them.
Nassar, 54, the former team doctor for USA Gymnastics for nearly 20 years and the former team doctor at Michigan State University, pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Many current and former gymnasts, including gold medalists McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Simone Biles, have said that they were sexually abused by Nassar under the guise of medical treatment.
The chief prosecutor, Michigan Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis, gave special credit to investigative reporters at The Indianapolis Star and former gymnast Rachael Denhollander for first bringing Nassar's crimes to light.
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To the victims, Povilaitis also said, "They should feel no shame, because they did nothing wrong. He did."
"These little girls have transformed before our eyes from victims, to survivors, to champions for justice and advocates for change."
Here are seven lessons that Povilaitis said we should have learned from the Nassar victim testimony.
1. Believe children when they report abuse
Povilaitis said that children who claimed Nassar was abusing them during his medical treatments were ignored by adults, even though some of their claims were first made two decades ago.
She also said there were still some doubters of Nassar's guilt, despite the evidence, victim's impact statements and his own admission of his crimes. "I hope and pray that they're watching, they're listening and they have learned their lesson," Povilaitis said.
2. Anyone can be an abuser
Povilaitis said Nassar had a public persona as a kind and caring doctor who often would not charge his patients and would travel almost anywhere to treat them. But then there was the other side that he showed to his victims.
"Serial child molesters hide among us," Povilaitis said, adding Nassar is "possibly the most prolific serial child molester in history."
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3. Reporting of child abuse must be improved
"Delayed disclosure of child abuse ... is not unique," she said, adding that many of the reports were not followed up on until long after.
4. Child molesters strive to win victims' trust
Nassar strove to get close to his victims and their parents, often interacting with them socially and even visiting in their homes.
"Predators groom their victims and their families," Povilaitis said. "He was only doing that to gain their trust and get what he needed."
5. Children must speak up about abuse
Boys and girls are taught to respect adults, follow their directions, and not question them. But Povilaitis said, "we need to teach them to speak up, until someone listens and helps."
6. Police must take on tough cases
Sexual abuse cases need to be taken seriously by law-enforcement officials, Povilaitis said. "They cannot victim blame, or wait until they have the perfect case," she said.
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7. Investigative journalism is crucial
Povilaitis gave special attention to the first reports of abuse by Nassar that were made by Denhollander and which appeared in The Indianapolis Star in the fall of 2016.
"We, as a society, need investigative journalists more than ever," she said. "Without that first Indianapolis Star story in August 2016; without the story where Rachael came forward publicly shortly thereafter — he would still be practicing medicine, treating athletes and abusing kids."
Follow Dwight Adams on Twitter: @hdwightadams
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