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Simone Biles: 'I blame system that enabled Larry Nassar abuse' Simone Biles: 'I blame system that enabled Larry Nassar abuse'
(about 1 hour later)
Simone Biles: ‘I blame an entire system that enabled abuse’
Elite US gymnast Simone Biles has testified before the Senate about abuse she suffered at the hands of disgraced former team doctor, Larry Nassar.Elite US gymnast Simone Biles has testified before the Senate about abuse she suffered at the hands of disgraced former team doctor, Larry Nassar.
Former teammates Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney also appeared before the committee, along with FBI Director Christopher Wray.Former teammates Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney also appeared before the committee, along with FBI Director Christopher Wray.
The committee is examining shortcomings in the FBI's investigation into Nassar, later convicted of sexually abusing girls.The committee is examining shortcomings in the FBI's investigation into Nassar, later convicted of sexually abusing girls.
He is serving a life sentence in jail.He is serving a life sentence in jail.
"I blame Larry Nasser, and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse," said Ms Biles, the most decorated Olympic gymnast of all-time. "I blame Larry Nasser, and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated [sic] his abuse," said Ms Biles, the most decorated Olympic gymnast of all-time.
"If you allow a predator to harm children, the consequences will be swift and severe," she added."If you allow a predator to harm children, the consequences will be swift and severe," she added.
SCATHING REPORT: FBI failed to investigate USA Gymnastics abuserSCATHING REPORT: FBI failed to investigate USA Gymnastics abuser
VOICES: What it was like to face 'monster' doctor in courtVOICES: What it was like to face 'monster' doctor in court
Gymnast Maggie Nichols - the first victim to report her abuse to USA Gymnastics - also testified.Gymnast Maggie Nichols - the first victim to report her abuse to USA Gymnastics - also testified.
They were some of the more than 200 women who gave powerful impact statements to a court in 2018, detailing Nassar's abuse when he was the sports doctor of the United States women's national gymnastics team. What did the women say?
A long-awaited report into the FBI's investigation, which was published in July, found numerous missteps and cover-ups by FBI agents, which allowed Nassar's abuse to continue for months after the case was first opened. In emotional testimony on Wednesday, the four women told the Senate Judiciary Committee they had "suffered and continue to suffer" from the abuse they experienced and its bungled handling.
The 119-page report by the Department of Justice Inspector General found that despite the seriousness of the allegations against Nassar, the FBI field office in Indianapolis had been slow to respond. Four-time Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles - the most high profile victim to have spoken out against Nasser - called for the agents involved to be federally prosecuted.
Confronted by their mistakes, two FBI officials lied during interviews to cover up their errors, the report said. Last week, one of those officials was fired by the FBI, US media reported. "How much is a little girl worth?" she asked.
Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Maggie Nichols Aly Raisman, who served as captain of the 2012 and 2016 US Olympic gymnastics teams, expressed disgust that she was "still fighting for the most basic answers and accountability" more than six years after first reporting her abuse.
On Wednesday, Ms Raisman criticised the FBI's investigation as being "like guesswork", while Ms Maroney - who was the only victim initially interviewed by the agency - called her experience deeply disappointing. "Over the past few years it has become painfully clear how a survivor's healing is affected by the handling of their abuse," she testified.
"They chose to fabricate, to lie about what I said and protect a serial child molester," Ms Maroney told the committee. "What is the point of reporting abuse if our own FBI agents are going to take it upon themselves to bury that report in a drawer?" She criticised the FBI investigation as being "like guesswork", warning that not addressing its serious flaws would result in a recurring "nightmare" for many more women.
Chair Dick Durbin said Wednesday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing would examine what had led to the failure of the FBI's investigation to "prevent future, similar tragedies".
Mr Wray is expected to face sharp questioning on the failings, and why agents found to have violated FBI policy were never prosecuted for their misconduct.
In total, Nassar was accused of sexual abuse by more than 330 women and girls at USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University.
Olympic gold medal winner Simone Biles is the most high profile victim to have spoken out about his abuse. After breaking her silence, Ms Biles said she was "relieved" after speaking out, after feeling "a lot of pressure" to keep the truth to herself for so long.
McKayla Maroney, who won gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, has said she was sexually abused by Nassar over a seven-year period, starting when she was 13 years old.McKayla Maroney, who won gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, has said she was sexually abused by Nassar over a seven-year period, starting when she was 13 years old.
"It seemed whenever and wherever this man could find the chance, I was 'treated'," she wrote on Twitter in 2017."It seemed whenever and wherever this man could find the chance, I was 'treated'," she wrote on Twitter in 2017.
Ms Maroney was the only victim initially interviewed by the FBI. She described the experience as replete with "silence and disregard for my trauma".
"They chose to fabricate, to lie about what I said and protect a serial child molester," Ms Maroney told senators.
"What is the point of reporting abuse if our own FBI agents are going to take it upon themselves to bury that report in a drawer?"
What is the hearing for?
The four athletes were among more than 200 women who gave powerful impact statements to a court in 2018, detailing Larry Nassar's abuse as the sports doctor of the United States women's national gymnastics team.
In total, Nassar was accused of sexual abuse by more than 330 women and girls at USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University.
A long-awaited report into the FBI's investigation, which was published in July, found numerous missteps, delays and cover-ups by FBI agents, which allowed Nassar's abuse to continue for several more months after the case was first opened.
The 119-page report by the Department of Justice Inspector General found that, despite the seriousness of the allegations against Nassar, the FBI field office in Indianapolis had been slow to respond.
The agency initially interviewed only Ms Maroney while declining to interview other young women who had come forward with their stories.
Confronted by their mistakes, two FBI officials lied during interviews to cover up their errors, the report said. According to the FBI, one of those officials was fired last week.
Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Maggie Nichols
What did the FBI say?
Chair Dick Durbin said Wednesday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing would examine what had led to the failure of the FBI's investigation to "prevent future, similar tragedies".
FBI Director Christopher Wray apologised profusely to those present for the "reprehensible conduct" and "fundamental errors" detailed in the July report.
Mr Wray only took the agency's top job in 2017, but pledged to prevent a repeat of the mishandled case under his leadership.
He pointed to last week's removal of the supervising official involved, while noting the other official - who led the field office in Indianapolis - had retired long before he could be disciplined.
He acknowledged the work of both agents had "violated the FBI's long-standing code of conduct" but was "inconsistent" with the vast majority of his team.
Simone Biles speaks in 2018 about why sharing the abuse story will encourage others to come forwardSimone Biles speaks in 2018 about why sharing the abuse story will encourage others to come forward