On Rachel Joy Denhollander and bravery

 


I was watching Anatomy of a Scandal and remembered the most inspiring rape victim I've ever heard of

Rachael Joy Denhollander. She was harassed by the National Women's gymnast physician. And she quit gymnastics. Went to law school.

She came back 16 years later, and accused the physician of sexual assault. 

And because of her, up to 200 gymnasts came forward stating their experience at his hands (including Simone Biles).

During the trial and eventual conviction of the rapist guy, she gave the concluding statement as follows - 

*"How much is a little girl worth? I plead with you (the judge) to impose the maximum sentence under the plea agreement because everything is what these survivors are worth. Thank you."*

The rapist was eventually sentenced as follows - 

Federal: 60 years in prison, lifetime of supervised release

State (Ingham County): 40 to 175 years in prison

State (Eaton County): 40 to 125 years in prison


Not to playdown on victims who seek closure their own way, but this woman's action is all shades of amazing.


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