332: Rachael Denhollander | What Is a Girl Worth?

Legal Hurdles

Rachael Denhollander faced immense challenges in bringing her case against Larry Nassar to light. She describes the difficulty of convincing even those close to her of the abuse she suffered, highlighting the pervasive disbelief victims often encounter. "If I can't get even somebody who knows me to believe that I know what I'm talking about, there's no way that I'm going to get another police officer who doesn't know me to take this seriously," she explains 1. This skepticism, coupled with the fear of abusers escalating their actions if they feel untouchable, made the decision to report incredibly daunting 1.

   

Journalism's Impact

Investigative journalism played a crucial role in exposing the abuse scandals within USA Gymnastics. The Indianapolis Star's in-depth investigation into the organization's handling of sexual abuse claims provided a platform for victims like Rachael to be heard. "The IndyStar article did, and that was trending. I read the article and my very first thought was, 'I was right,' and my second thought was, 'This is it,'" Rachael recalls 2. This coverage helped amplify the voices of survivors and challenged the narrative controlled by powerful institutions 3.