Category: sport medicine

Jessica O’Beirne – USAG Chose Medals Over Child Safety

A new way to look at the Nassar crimes and how he could conceal them for decades.

GymCastic founder Jessica O’Beirne:

No one believed the victims of Larry Nassar.

I can’t call them all survivors because not everyone survived.

No one believed the women and girls who for decades looked to adults and institutions for help ― and with the exception of three dedicated journalists at the Indianapolis Star and a few others who relentlessly beat the drum as most media ignored a sex abuse spree. …

The Nassar case isn’t only a story about a child molester. It’s a story about every person and institution that failed to stop him. …

HuffPo

Amanda Thomashow reported Nassar to MSU in 2014

Amanda Thomashow was the first woman to file an official Title IX complaint (2014) against Nassar accusing him of violating the school’s sexual harassment policy. …

In an investigative report prepared in response to her complaint, the school’s Title IX coordinator called Nassar’s methods a “liability” that exposed patients to unnecessary trauma. But that’s not what the school told Thomashow.

We cannot find that the conduct was of a sexual nature. Thus, it did not violate the sexual harassment policy.”

MSU ultimately sided with Nassar, concluding that his methods were medically appropriate. And, according to documents obtained by CNN, MSU gave Nassar and Thomashow different versions of that investigative report. Her version did not include the Title IX coordinator’s concerns. …

She filed a complaint against Larry Nassar in 2014. Nothing happened

MSU maintains that “no official there believed Nassar committed sexual abuse until newspapers began reporting on the allegations in the summer of 2016”.

MSU bungled Amanda’s complaint, investigation and report(s) in several ways. Ways that look like a cover-up to me.

#DamWorthIt – candid dialogue around mental health

Two student athletes at Oregon State University, gymnast Taylor Ricci and soccer player Nathan Braaten, started a campaign called #DamWorthIt. After the death of two fellow athletes to suicide, the duo wanted to do something so they began the campaign.

When grief turns to hope

#DamWorthIt encourages candid dialogue around mental health

related – Bell has a campaign on Twitter, as well.

https://twitter.com/bellletstaik_/status/958839319921352704

sexual abuse by physicians

It’s far more common than we would have guessed.

… In a new survey of nearly 500 women conducted by Women’s Health and the anti–sexual violence group RAINN (the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network), 27 percent said they’d been violated by a doctor—reporting everything from lewd comments to masturbation, inappropriate touching, and even rape. …

First, Do No Harm

KT Tape pays $1.75 million for false advertising

A preliminary settlement agreement was reached in a class action alleging that an athletic tape manufacturer included false claims on its KT Tape packaging and advertising. …

… the company deceived consumers with claims that the “kinesiology tape” would treat specific injuries, including carpal tunnel, runner’s knee, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, calf strain and shoulder pain. …

… in addition to the $1.75 million, KT has also agreed to modify the ways it advertises kinesiology tape, including claims that the tape “will keep you pain free,” “provides 24-hour pain relief per application,” and “for injury prevention.” …

KT TAPE MAKER REACHES $1.75M FALSE ADVERTISING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT

psychological counselling for Nassar victims

Paul Ziert launched a GoFundMe fundraising campaign.

The point person for any victim will be Jessica L. Steyers, LCSW, MA, who is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of trauma. …

Ms. Steyers, a former gymnast, lives in New York City. …

details

related – Saving Our Survivors Facebook page

victim impact statement quotes

Brianne Randall:

“I was a 17-year-old that reported your abuse to police in 2004. You used my vulnerability at the time to sexually abuse me. I reported you to police immediately and had a rape kit done … you had the audacity to tell [police] I misunderstood the treatment because I wasn’t comfortable with my body. How dare you? Sadly they took your word instead of mine.”

Jordyn Wieber:

“Even though I am a victim, I won’t live my life as one. I am an Olympian.”

Mattie Larson:

“I was at the height of my career at 19 and the Olympics were just a year away and I just couldn’t take any more of the abuse. I was broken. Larry, my coaches, and USA Gymnastics turned the sport I fell in love with as a kid to my personal living hell.”

Makayla Thrush:

“Nobody should ever have to question their doctor, especially one who was the doctor for the US Olympic team.”

133 People Publicly Confronted The Doctor Who Sexually Abused Young Women. Here Are Their Most Powerful Quotes.

NCAA investigating Michigan State University

The MSU President has resigned after 13 years.

At least a dozen former Spartan athletes — from the gymnastics, volleyball, rowing, softball and track and field programs — were among the women and girls who gave victim-impact statements during Nassar’s sentencing hearing.

That was a major reason the NCAA sent Hollis and Michigan State University a letter of inquiry this week to begin an investigation into the athletic department’s handling of the Nassar situation. …

Who will be key figures at center of NCAA investigation at Michigan State?

Larissa Boyce

In Nassar’s first year working at MSU, 1997, a gymnast from a local club team that worked out on campus accused him of sexually assaulting her in his MSU office and at Jenison Fieldhouse. Boyce reported it to Klages and says she was told she would face “serious consequences” if she reported Nassar to police. Boyce was the first victim known to have told an MSU employee about Nassar’s abuse.

related – Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said Thursday that her agency is investigating Michigan State University

Debbie Van Horn is gone

Debbie Van Horn’s tenure with the federation ended Monday, the email said. It was sent to USA Gymnastics staff by Mark McCreary, the federation’s chief administrative officer, and titled “Notice.” The email did not specify if she had been fired or if she’d resigned.

On Tuesday, 2010 world team member Mattie Larson said in court that Van Horn had been in the room “many of the times” that Nassar abused her. …

Trainer who worked alongside Larry Nassar no longer with USA Gymnastics