Raisman Speaks Out On Sex Abuse; Says She Didn’t Know The Signs

NEEDHAM, MA — Aly Raisman has joined the list of gymnasts who have said that they are among the victims of former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.

The Needham native told her story on CBS's 60 Minutes Sunday night, detailing the denial and realization that she was taken advantage of and sexually abused by a trusted person.

Nasser spend two decades working with members of the women's national gymnastics teams and athletes at Michigan State University. He is now in jail in Michigan awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography and will also be tried on separate criminal sexual conduct charges. He has been sued by more than 130 women alleging abuse.

"We were told (Nasser) was the best doctor, he’s the U.S. Olympic doctor, the USA Gymnastics doctor, and we were lucky to have him," Raisman told Dr. Jon LaPook.

Nasser first treated Raisman when she was 15 years old. While not going into the graphic details, Raisman said she didn't realize that she was being subjected to abuse or that there were rules that should have prevented Nasser from being alone with her.

Many of the victims initially didn't understand that Nasser used a predatory technique known as "grooming" to gain the trust of the athletes, including Raisman. The disgraced doctor would bring Raisman gifts and desserts to make her think that he was a nice person. When asked by a USA Gymnastics investigator about Nasser, Raisman said his touching made her uncomfortable, but she didn't think he meant it because he was so nice to her.

"I want people to know just because someone is nice to you and just because everyone is saying that they’re the best person it does not make it OK to ever make you feel uncomfortable," Raisman said. "I didn’t know the signs, I didn’t know what sexual abuse was and I think it needs to be communicated to all athletes no matter the age."

Raisman, who is hoping to earn a third consecutive trip to the Olympics, realizes that there is a risk of speaking out. When she was recently inducted to the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame as a member of the 2016 Olympic team, she claimed that a group of high ranking officials did not speak to her or anyone at her table before or after her speech where she touched on the sport's sex abuse scandal.

"I think that speaking out and creating positive change so athletes are safe is more important than any Olympic medal," she said.

Below is the full interview:

Image via CBS News