GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar of abuse, spoke at the YWCA's Arise Luncheon Wednesday.
It comes on the heels of the U.S. Department of Justice agreeing to a settlement with the victims of Nassar. The DOJ agreed to pay $139.7 million to more than 100 survivors. They allege the agency mishandled allegations against Nassar in 2015.
"Before I came forward, there were five law enforcement officers or agencies that failed to investigate direct reports of Larry's abuse," said Denhollander. "What we saw in the Nasser case is really just getting to look behind the veil of what survivors are dealing with every single day."
Nassar continued to abuse dozens more victims between the allegations and his abuse.
Denhollander, speaking to 13 ON YOUR SIDE before the luncheon Wednesday, called the settlement "an incredible statement on a number of levels." However, she urged hard conversations that still need to happen. Denhollander is not one of those involved in the settlement.
"One of the things that we haven't heard is we haven't heard an apology from the individuals directly involved," said Denhollander. "We haven't heard a lot of the details about what the non-monetary reform is going to be, what changes are coming to law enforcement, and we have to start having the very hard conversation about how we hold the government actors accountable for failures."
Now, Denhollander is a voice for change: at a community level and among safety and government agencies that continue to enable abusers.
"You prioritize what you care about, and we do not prioritize the safety of women and children as a society," said Denhollander. "We don't prioritize combating rape myths. We don't prioritize the necessary changes to our justice system. We don't prioritize pushing back on rape culture. Why don't we do that? Because we don't actually care. And we really have to start talking about that core issue. Why don't we care? And what are the ideologies that are driving us to not care. If we're going to start changing the actions, actions are built on ideas."
If you or someone you know needs help after domestic, sexual or childhood abuse, contact the YWCA West Central Michigan. You can also call (616) 454-9922.
You can watch an extended version of our interview with Denhollander here:
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