In September, four USA Gymnastics athletes bravely confronted their former team doctor, Larry Nassar, as they testified in a Senate hearing. Each of them shared their personal, devastating stories of the sexual abuse they endured while under his care.
“The scars of this horrific abuse continue,” said Olympian and former Nassar patient Simone Biles. “The impact of this man’s abuse will never be over.”
The victims alleged that the Federal Bureau of Investigations failed to protect them when they reported their abuse.
“I am tired of waiting for people to do the right thing,” said victim McKayla Maroney.
It is estimated that Nassar could have had up to 120 victims after the abuse was first reported to the FBI.
USA Gymnastics has also been under fire in recent years as victims have accused the organization of prioritizing competition over the safety and well-being of its athletes.
In the 2020 Netflix documentary, “Athlete A”, sources claim the organization did nothing to stop sexual abuse after it was reported repeatedly. The film also shares interview footage of USA Gymnastics’ former CEO Stephen Penny Jr., who was forced to resign in 2017, as he was asked under oath if the organization forwards sex abuse claims to authorities.
“If you receive a complaint of sexual misconduct, whether it be by a professional member or anyone that has a membership with USA G.,” asked the interviewer, “do you turn it over to local authorities?”
“No,” Penny responded tersely, claiming complaints were characterized as “hearsay” unless signed by a victim or the victim’s parents. Penny was later arrested in Tennessee after he allegedly “hid or destroyed” documents pertaining to Nassar’s conduct.
Here at Oregon State University, the hope is that our gymnasts — and all other student-athletes — will never have to endure the hellish events that took place with its mother organization. Although the Advocate was unable to receive a comment from OSU Gymnastics directly, OSU spokesperson Steve Clark offered some perspective on the matter.
“OSU is committed to contributing to a safe university community for all students and employees,” said Clark, “and the university has many measures in place that seek to prevent sexual misconduct and its recurrence, while supporting those impacted.”
Clark explained that one of OSU’s safety measures is the university’s mandatory reporting policy for employees who suspect wrongdoing. OSU’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Access investigates all such reports.
Additionally, Clark shared that OSU partnered with Samaritan Health Services and formed Samaritan Athletic Medicine Center, located on campus at 845 SW 30th Street. This facility allows student-athletes to receive clinical-grade care with the option of a chaperone every time they are seen.
Clark added that Samaritan offers patient advocates to any student-athletes who have a concern about the care they have received.
“Patient advocates will listen and work with the patient to address concerns they may have,” he said.
Clark added that OSU “unequivocally condemns sexual misconduct, child abuse and sexual violence of any kind.”
In 2018, OSU Gymnastics showed their support for sex abuse victims by wearing teal ribbons in their hair during meets.
“I want to thank the brave and courageous women that have recently come forward using their voices to rise up against abuse,” OSU Gymnastics head coach Tanya Chapin declared in a statement regarding the abuse victims. “As a coach and former athlete it is my responsibility to help increase transparency and to provide a safe environment for all athletes to participate in the sports they love.”
For more information on how to report sexual misconduct, visit this link via OSU’s homepage.
By: Rebekah Harcrow
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