I started the Nassar thread on the prior board. I was reluctant to pile on. But, I am opinionated on this, but it is hard to derive ultimate conclusions from these opinions. In no particular order here are some of my thoughts:
First, this was a difficult case to examine from a medical / osteopathic standpoint. I believe Nassar is an osteopath meaning he had chiropractic training. And this was some sort of transvaginal adjustment he was using that is supported by literature. I think from what I previously read, anal penetration is the first method and vaginal penetration is the alternative method, and so here is the literature as insincere as the literature may be: Look here:
Journal of the American Chiropractic Association, Feb. 2003 So Nassar can point to trade literature to support his treatments, and it is very difficult for nonmedical, and even medical people to attack his "treatments" since he has education and doctors who support him, and coaches and gymnastics people (I practice law, believe me, it does).
Second, what brought down the house of cards was when during the investigation the feds found child porn on his computer. Otherwise, he would have had doctors running to his defense, and a jury would have a difficult time with the case, although they might be conflicted on the home treatments, as those seemed more dubious than the office treatments.
Third, my daughter was in tumbling and took it up in some gymnastics studios, and I see how hard these girls work (kind of wished I had hung around the North Gym of the Iowa Field House when I was in college). I admire these girls, and their work ethics. My daughters experiences and contacts with gymnasts lead me to have a great deal of empathy for these victims.
Fourth, I would feel horrible for the women/girls of State of Michigan if they took away the gymnastics program or their scholarships as it is punishing them for the sins of Larry Nassar. I feel as if the NCAA should force MSU to give more scholarships for women's gymnastics, or retroactively give scholarships to women who had less than a full ride and were adversely effected by Nassar, and pay off their student loans, or something more positive than ruining the program.
Fifth, although there is something to be said for having your day in court, I did not understand how 150 women were allowed to come and give victim impact statements when there were just 7 convictions. I read that the defendant agreed to victim impact statements. If he agreed to statements from people other than the 7 for which he was convicted, perhaps his attorneys ought to have their heads examined.
Sixth, Nassar's letter to the judge during sentencing that the judge was drawing attention to herself I thought was spot-on. I have never seen a defendant placed on the witness stand while witnesses gave statements from a podium so as to allow the defendant and judge to be recorded on video. And to make statements that the defendant would not get out of prison before the defendant even gave a statement showed to me this was a bit of a kangaroo court justice system. If these things happened in Iowa I think the sentence would be vacated and it really ought to be sent back to the trial court after appeal for re-sentencing without all the shenanigans. Nassar seems to deserve a lengthy sentence, but there is something to be said for following proper judicial process, blind justice, and without all media enhancement that went into this with some of the people apparently unwilling to even come forward earlier coming in later to give victim impact statements. So -- not only should there be a healthy review of MSU and its responses to the 14 complaints, but a healthy review of the sentencing court and its procedures are in order, as well.
Sixth, at PSU there was some sort of huge financial penalty paid, and I don't think it was truly a sports related event at PSU. This was a sports related thing at MSU. I don't know what penalties are in order, but banning coaches who didn't listen. That would be high on the list. Could the NCAA urge MSU to waive statutes of limitations in order to continue competing at NCAA events so that financial remuneration could be received by women whose complaints were poo pooed? Financial reimbursement to victims are probably the best way to discourage this conduct into the future. The statute of limitations has probably passed on many of these claims. If the NCAA could compel MSU to waive the limitations period as a condition of competing in the NCAA, that would be thinking outside the box. I think probably this should be done given the extent to which MSU supported Nassar which aided him in committing sexual abuse on women and juvenile girls.
Seventh, ELA, I am sorry this happened at your university. I would hate for this to have happened at my alma mater. My sympathies to you, as well, and you have well-stated your frustration with this whole thing.