Nassar Gets 175 Years, But Case is Far From Closed

"Let this sentence strike fear in anyone who thinks it is O.K. to hurt another person. Abusers, your time is up. The survivors are here, standing tall, and we are not going anywhere."

-Aly Raisman, American gymnast and two-time Olympian

Dr. Larry Nassar's reign of terror is now officially over.  

The fallen USA Gymnastics team doctor received sentences totaling 175 years after being convicted on counts of criminal sexual conduct and child pornography.

160 former youth athletes stepped forward to incriminate the former doctor of years of sexual abuse, with Nassar's sentence 7 of them :

"You seem to have a hard time looking at me now, but you didn’t when I was half-naked on your table." 

- Arianna Guerrero, Gymnast

"Larry is the most dangerous type of abuser. One who is capable of manipulating his victims through coldly calculated grooming methodologies, presenting the most wholesome and caring external persona as a deliberate means to ensure a steady stream of young children to assault." 

- Rachael Denhollander

Outspoken Judge Rosemarie Aquilina took her time laying into Nassar in court, with the humiliated  doctor taking his sentence both in silence and in tears.

Aquilina's 20-some minute-sentencing included several direct attacks on Nassar, including mentions of how more work needs to be done: 

"I hope you are shaken to your core. Your victims are clearly shaken to their core. And I know there are still some who ask are you broken because you got caught."

"And sir, the media has asked me to release your letter, I am not going to do that. Counsel may object, the media may object, but there is some information in here that troubles me in regards to the victims. I don't want them to be revictimized by the words that you have in here."

"There has to be a massive investigation as to why there is inaction and why there was silence. Justice requires more than what I can do on this bench."

And that is the consensus.  While we can, in time, take down such criminals as Dr. Nassar, the biggest endeavor is in prevention and quick action.  

Every moment a sexual offender is permitted to roam free on the streets is another moment they can use on their next victim.

#metoo #speakup

Watch Judge Aquilina's full sentencing of Dr. Larry Nassar below:

Read more at the NY Times.

Photos by Getty Images.