McKayla Maroney Delivers Statement Against Sexual Abuse

Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney delivered her statement against her former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar in court on Thursday.

Previously in 2016, McKayla, as well as over a hundred other women, came forward to accuse their former doctor of sexual abuse. He was convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison and is facing additional years for other offenses such as the possession of child pornography.

There had been a lot of controversy over whether or not McKayla would end up delivering her statement. Around the time of Nassar’s sentencing, she signed a deal sacrificing her voice to ever speak publicly about her abuse again. By speaking in court to give her statement, she violated this part of her agreement, yet a representative from US Gymnastics has reported that they will not be presenting a fine and are supporting any woman impacted to speak up and raise awareness for this terrible act.

Having a national organization violate their own deal to support suffering women is a really important step in the end to sexual abuse, and it couldn’t be done without women like McKayla Maroney using their voice to change history.