Another great tsunami of hope arises with the women who have come forth, speaking of their abuse- there is power in numbers.
I am posting this video, so I have it achieved.
The letter is from one girl.
And, the courtroom allowed them all.
I believe, their numbers were over 150.
Imagine.
This brings hope.
Speaking up matters.
This case contains elements that make it big - it has Institutions that had impeccable reputations and, are now vulnerable to criminal behaviors - professional who wasn't professional...and vulnerable girls left vulnerable.
It shows that what we see and believe IS NOT always so.
We now have to change our minds and beliefs about these institutions.
Larry Nassar did not act alone.
The institutions he worked for and under, are accomplices for their lack of rules and discernment. They allowed him to be alone with young girls.
Certainly, many will ONLY want to blame him. To let the Olympic Gymnastic Teams and University keep their unscarred reputations. That he and he alone is the monster.
What I know, from experience, is there is a climate that allows predators to flourish.
He was in the perfect environment to have unlimited access to vulnerable little girls whose dreams were tied up with him.
This case should broaden our focus when it comes to sexual predators, to look at the environments where they seem to live, work and commit crimes.
Who is allowing this?
Whose rules leave huge gaps for him to enter; unrestricted.
And, I love the strength in numbers.
While I have spoken up publicly, I needed more children to be open and seen - Adult Children to come forth.
This case also brings to mind, my father's case.
I had called the Prosecuting Attorney to ask if I could assist his case and was told I was too old. That my case didn't matter or would have an impact on the present (2004) case.
What I love about this courtroom and judge IS that she ALLOWED all victims voices to be heard. She brought them all together and gave them the opportunity to be heard.
What power!
How healing for them all to be given the platform and the respect to have their voices mean something!
They certainly now will not feel alone - and perhaps can work on healing together.
Thank you Judge Aquilina! Thank you!
While this whole case saddened me for all the young girls whose lives were changed, due to this man's criminal behaviors; it also has given me much hope.
Hope that the tides are turning, and that women's strength will overcome fear!
That we can make changes, and that institutions can be challenged, and our voices can win.
Our reputations will be returned to innocence, and the Institutions and predators and their accomplices will now carry the burden of abuse.
This case shows the depth of fear and aloneness of abuse and the powerlessness and then, how it can change dramatically when the silence breaks.
It shows the scars and the triumphs.
They renew my energy and my knowingness that our voices matter.
And, again that no matter what the reputation of family and institution or man, they are not too big to fall...and be felled.
This trial also shows the magnitude of one man's inability to claim his crimes.
And, even the institutions ability to stand with the victims wholeheartedly from the stance of humanity. They will when it appears that society 'needs' them to.
It has affirmed my experiences with the First Apostolic Church, its members and my family.
What I needed was a 150 voices echoing my experience.
A judge and prosecutor that wanted to hear ALL victims.
I think, now looking back, that my case being too old, made it appear that I mattered less.
And, I brought that inside, as a fact.
When a courtroom allows all victims to be heard, each of our experiences then matter.
This case has the power and ripple affect to impact many and bring forth much change.
What I love the most, is that after being heard, these young women will feel so empowered, that their voices matter, that their pain was witnessed, and their innocence proclaimed.
They can then embrace and love their wounded little girl, mother her into a strong loving woman. It takes time, and to be surrounded by people who truly love you.
I applaud the women of this case.
Women rising into their empowerment!
