After having substantial proof time after time, many sexual assault victims do not get the justice they deserve. The U.S. Justice System allows perpetrators to walk freely, leaving them to potentially harm more victims. 

As a country that promises to serve and protect, it has done everything but that. When sexual assault victims are left with seeing the people that have harmed them walk freely, it leaves them with trauma. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center reports that 81% of women and 35% of men who experienced sexual assault report significant impacts such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

New York Times author, Jane Manning, explains that when prosecutors and police fail to investigate cases thoroughly and prosecute them negligently, it adds additional trauma to survivors. We see this time after time in the Larry Nassar case and many others which is simply not fair. 

Larry Nasser—who was the team doctor for the U.S. women’s gymnastics team—plead guilty multiple times on accounts of criminal sexual conduct, child pornography, and sexual abuse. His first crime of sexual abuse was in 1994. However, this was not shared until the 2016 case when several individuals came forward to the authorities. In this case, Kathie Klages— former Michigan State women’s gymnastics coach—allowed Nassar to continue to obtain more victims. Klages was found guilty in February for lying to police when she told them she had no memory of a pair of young gymnasts warning her about Nassar in 1997. 

In 2018, Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 125 years in sexual assault charges. Over the course of the seven-day hearing, a total of 156 women and girls made statements. Olympic medalists Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Jamie Dantzscher were a part of the 156 women and girls. The last of the 156 was Rachael Denhollander, the woman who filed the police report and spoke to the Indianapolis Star newspaper. 

In July of 2021, the Department of Justice released a 119-page report detailing the errors made by the FBI in their original investigation of Nassar. The report describes how the FBI not only failed at doing their job, but the people left with the pain and trauma from the horrid events. In their investigation, the FBI fell short to interview key witnesses and notify state law enforcement officials. 

Multi-medal winning Olympic gymnast Simone Biles told senators that she blames not only Nassar, but the system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse. Along with Biles, fellow gymnast and survivor of Larry Nasser, Aly Raisman made a statement saying that the FBI’s conduct “was like serving innocent children up to a pedophile on a silver platter.”

Hearing the statistics and stories of others is very disheartening. Amani Doyle, a student at Prairie View A&M University shares her feelings on the Nassar case and other sexual assault cases. “In a way I feel frustrated. We’ve been hearing about these cases since Gabby Douglas. I was a young girl then and now I’m 20… why isn’t it being condemned? We are still in the same predicament!” Like Doyle, many share similar feelings. Cases and stories are always heard, but nothing is truly done about them. When this happens, it feels as though the justice system is letting this happen to innocent people.

The UK Center for Research on Violence Against Women noticed that the criminal justice system can often deter women from continuing their cases due to secondary victimization. Having to retell the story over and over is triggering, hence why many survivors feel like they are not believed. This gives reason behind rape and sexual assault as the least reported crime standing at 63% unreported 

Sexual assault is not foreign within the DU Community. There are many victims on campus who have to face their assaulter every day or they are too afraid to speak up. 

When asked about the result of many sexual assault cases, Taelyr Gatlin, a student-athlete at DU, says that he feels as though “there is a lack of sympathy for the victims” and “every case should be thoroughly examined.” Gatlin explains that it’s not fair to the victims knowing that the person that violated them gets to walk freely and be given the opportunity to violate other women and young girls.

Doyle questioned that if the victims are not heard, then what is the point? Repeatedly telling their stories and no one hears them leaves feelings of helplessness. 

Sexual assault leaves victims and allies frustrated and in pain because the system designed to protect is allowing for the crimes to happen again. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Jerry Moran want us and the Department of Justice to think about how many athletes would have been spared unimaginable pain if the FBI had done its job. The Department of Justice needs to decide if they will be another institution that fails survivors or if it is going to enforce some measure of accountability for these crimes. 

Now we have to think about the future, not only to prevent these things from happening but if it does happen what can be done to give the victims their justice. If you see something, then say something. Do not leave people alone in dangerous or uncomfortable situations. 

Doyle offers solutions on how she would handle these situations. “Honestly, the first step I would take is to get counseling for the victims. We can’t fix the past so we can only focus on the future.” She assures that anyone involved in a cover-up for assaulters should be in jail. Doyle wants us to think about how we can move forward to prevent this for all. Everyone needs to be held responsible and accountable. 

Moving forward, we have to seek justice for those affected by sexual assault. The more we hold the justice system accountable, the less likely they are to fail victims of sexual assault. No one should have to continue to face their assaulter ever. Sexual assault can decrease if action is taken against repeated offenders, making it impossible for them to recommit the same crime. When coming to an individual in confidence, believe them until proven differently.