Olympic champion gymnast, Gabby Douglas, has accused former USA Gymnastics team physician Larry Nassar of alleged sexual abuse. The three-time Olympic gold medalist on Tuesday (Nov 21) joined in the latest list of female athletes to accuse the doctor of sexual misconduct.
i didn’t correctly word my reply & i am deeply sorry for coming off like i don’t stand alongside my teammates. regardless of what you wear, abuse under any circumstance is never acceptable. i am WITH you. #metoo
— Gabby Douglas (@gabrielledoug) November 18, 2017
Also Read: Former US Gymnast Says She Was Abused By Team Doctor
Douglas, who is the 2012 Olympic all-around champion, wrote in an Instagram post that she waited long to unmask the abusive experience by Larry Nassar because she was part of a group “conditioned to stay silent.”
“I didn’t view my comments as victim shaming because I know no matter what you wear, it NEVER gives anyone the right to harass or abuse you.” - Douglas
The post reads: "It would be like saying that because of the leotards we wore, it was our fault that we were abused by Larry Nassar. I didn't publicly share my experiences as well as many other things because for years we were conditioned to stay silent and honestly some things were extremely painful."
READ: One More Olympic Gymnast Alleges Abuse By Team Doctor
Gabby Douglas releases new statement & says she was abused by team doctor Larry Nassar too https://t.co/w64L05kijn pic.twitter.com/NacusCfM99
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 21, 2017
Douglas’ post came in as an apology of an irrelevant comment on social media last week for which she was criticized badly. She commented suggesting that for women to avoid sexual harassment, dressing up modestly help prevent abuse and hence this is the solution. She later apologized for her remarks and added that she too was abused by Nassar, who currently is in jail after pleading guilty to federal child pornography charges and is awaiting sentencing.
READ:Radhika Apte On Sexual Abuse In Showbiz And More
The 21-year-old Douglas is making buzz as the latest high-profile gymnast to stepping up and accusing Nassar, who was serving as the national team doctor for USA Gymnastics for two decades before being fired in 2015.
Two-time Olympic teammate Aly Raisman in her autobiography “Fierce,” released earlier this month wrote about alleged abuse by Nassar. Also, Olympic medalist McKayla Maroney disclosed abuse by Nassar in October. Jamie Dantzscher, a bronze medalist on the 2000 US Olympic team, then joined the group to file lawsuits against Nassar in 2016 following reports by the Indianapolis Star. The report highlighted chronic mishandling of abuse allegations against coaches and staff at more than 3,500 clubs across the country.
Looks like Gabby Douglas did what many survivors of sexual assault have been known to do--internalize their abuse. That's why so many of us were so hesitant to dog her last week.
— Liz. (@LizMAdetiba) November 21, 2017
That's why cancel culture is so harmful. https://t.co/qIipzeo7jA
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Feature Image Credit: Allure
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