The interim MSU president said Larry Nassar’s victims have been “enjoying” the spotlight, and WTF?
It’s been almost a year since disgraced USA Gymnastics and Michigan State doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to life in prison for sexual assault. The court decision brought vindication to the more than 100 women who testified that Nassar abused them. Yet some are still vilifying his victims. In a January 11th article in The Detroit News about a potential “Healing Assistance Fund” for victims of Nassar who weren’t included in the $500 million settlement awarded in 2018, Michigan State University’s Interim President John Engler was quoted as saying that some of the survivors are “enjoying” the attention they’ve received from coming forward.
"You’ve got people, they are hanging on and this has been…there are a lot of people who are touched by this, survivors who haven’t been in the spotlight," Engler told the editorial board of The News. "In some ways they have been able to deal with this better than the ones who’ve been in the spotlight who are still enjoying that moment [...], you know, the awards and recognition."
Let’s get one thing clear: Coming forward about abuse and submitting oneself to intense public scrutiny is not enjoyable. It is often painful and re-traumatizing, and those who do it are incredibly brave. Being “recognized” for that bravery doesn’t undermine any of the trauma, nor should they ever be accused of enjoying attention.
According to MSU interim president, John Engler, the survivors of Larry Nassar's sexually abuse are enjoying the spotlight.
Why does Engler still have his job? He undermines survivors at almost every opportunity. #metoohttps://t.co/qFw3UaxyPA
— Dani Bostick (@danibostick) January 15, 2019
Backlash to Engler’s comments was swift. In a January 12th statement to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Dianne Byrum, chairwoman of the MSU Board of Trustees, said, “His remarks were ill advised and not helpful to the healing process, survivors, or the university.”
And now, Engler could be removed from his position at the university. According to the Detroit Free Press, the board of trustees has scheduled a meeting on January 17th to discuss his future at the school. Board member Brian Mosallam, who has reportedly advocated for Engler’s removal, told the paper that “John Engler’s reign of terror is over.”
John Engler has embarrassed himself and done further damage to Michigan State. And it goes beyond the imbecilic comments he made about Larry Nassar's survivors "enjoying the spotlight." https://t.co/cEWXjwR7Mz https://t.co/uVp25lzwt0
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) January 16, 2019
The Free Press notes that Engler has frequently been criticized for the way he has handled the Nassar case. He originally canceled the Healing Assistance Fund until the board voted to reinstate it. And in April, he accused Nassar survivor Rachael Denhollander of being paid by attorneys to file a lawsuit against MSU. The Detroit Metro Times reports that as governor of Michigan in the ’90s, he tried to stop incarcerated women from suing over sexual assault.
Engler’s comments demonstrate that, even in 2019, victim-shaming is still an ongoing problem. As always, we stand with all survivors and continue to fight for their voices to he heard, respected, and acted on.
