A time of reckoning

By Persis - Posted at Tried With Fire:

It is only right and good to honor the strength and courage of Rachael Denhollander and her fellow survivors who disclosed all they suffered at the hands of Larry Nassar. He was sentenced to 175 years in prison, which sends a clear message of the heinous nature of his crimes. However, his is not the only reckoning. If you listen to the victim impact statements, there were repeated calls for Michigan State University and the US Gymnastics Association to be held accountable for their inaction and creating a climate where an abuser could have easy access to his victims. There have been calls for the resignation of the president of Michigan State University with resultant wagon circling. But as of last night, Lou Anna Simon resigned.

I truly hope the church-at-large is taking notes because we don't have a spotless reputation when it comes to dealing with child abuse or abuse of any sort nor when it comes to standing with the victims. It would be hypocritical to applaud Nassar's survivors and then turn around and silence victims when a person in your church, Christian organization, or political party is the perpetrator. Supporting a culture where abuse can flourish is its own form of evil.

Continue reading here.



See also:

• Gymnasts, Prophets, and Us (Gentle Reformation)
• Rachael Denhollander, SGM, and Bob Jones University (Here's the Joy)
• Rachael Denhollander lost her church over her advocacy for abuse survivors (Here's the Joy)
• A line in the sand (Tried With Fire)