http://abcnews.go.com/US/gymnast-mattie-larson-purposely-injured-avoid-toxic-atmosphere/story?id=52600778
In this interview discussing her reaction to Larry Nassar’s sentencing, former gymnast Mattie Larson describes the abuse she suffered at his hands. While at the U.S. gymnastics training center where he was the primary doctor, she says he molested her repeatedly, taking advantage of her vulnerability and innocence. In a related article, “Larson said that whenever she saw Nassar, starting when she was 14, he would put his finger inside her vagina, no matter where her treatment was needed.” She also describes how she purposely knocked her head against the tub after a bath, hoping to give herself a concussion, so she would not be forced to return to the training center and face Nassar again.
Although Larson expressed her hate for Nassar at his sentencing hearing, she also emphasizes in this interview and others that Nassar is not the only responsible party. The abuse could not have continued without the compliance of a web of people and institutions, including gymnastics coaches and Michigan State University, where Nassar was employed even after a criminal investigation into the abuse.
I applaud her for pointing out the systemic, or structural, problems that made these atrocities possible. Even though the interviewer, and the media in general, may be more interested in a “good” story that riles people up and gets more views, it is important that we not forget the deeper structural issues that support this behavior. We must not get sidetracked in demonizing and crucifying the Nassars and Weinsteins of the world and then patting ourselves on the back for “solving” this problem, believing that the life sentences and rapid falls from grace of these powerful men prove our own moral superiority. This moral licensing will only allow us to continue to ignore the root problem of gender inequality of which the #MeToo movement is only a symptom. These men should definitely be punished, but we should also, especially as sociologists, take a step back to examine the culture which produced them.