Aly Raisman took to Twitter on Friday to encourage women to wear what they please and to call out those who victim shame
Aly Raisman is calling out victim shamers who claim that women who dress in ‘sexy outfits’ deserve to be sexually abused.
In a tweet posted on Friday morning along with a much longer note, the Olympic gymnast encouraged women to wear what they please no matter who has a problem.
‘We are all in this together. If we are going to create change I need all your help,’ she said in the post that has now liked more than 1,500 times.
Following allegations in new book Fierce, where Raisman details years of sexual abuse she was exposed to at the hands of Dr Larry Nassar, the gymnast has been extremely vocal about her calls for change.
‘Just because a woman does a sexy photoshoot or wears a sexy outfit does not give a man the right to shame her or not believe her when she comes forward about sexual abuse,’ she added in the post.
‘What is wrong with some of you?
‘AND when a woman dresses sexy and comfortable in their own skin, in fact I encourage you all to wear what you feel good in.’
In her book Fierce, that cames out on Tuesday, the Olympic gold medalist details sexual assault allegations against Dr Larry Nassar. She has been harassed by those who claim she wears provocative clothing
‘We are all in this together. If we are going to create change I need all your help,’ she said in the post that has now liked more than 1,500 times
‘Just because a woman does a sexy photoshoot or wears a sexy outfit does not give a man the right to shame her or not believe her when she comes forward about sexual abuse,’ she added in the post
Raisman then went on to declare that she will not let anyone shame women for what they choose to wear.
The 23-year-old said: ‘I will not put up with any woman or girl being shamed for wanting to wear a skirt, dress, etc, I do no tolerate it. Are we clear?
‘Stop victim shaming. It is because of you that so many survivors live in fear.’
Her tweet comes days after news that Dr Nassar was expecting to change his not-guilty plea in a bid to close the state’s criminal cases against him after being accused of molesting girls under the guise of medical treatment at his home, a campus clinic and a youth gymnastics club.
In her book Fierce, Raisman writes that the abuse all began when she was 15 and practicing through her pain in Australia ahead of a meet.
Her tweet comes days after news that Dr Nassar was expecting to change his not-guilty plea in a bid to close the state’s criminal cases against him after being accused of molesting girls under the guise of medical treatment at his home, a campus clinic and a youth gymnastics club
A USA Gymnastics official suggested that she get treated by Dr. Nassar, saying that the registered osteopath who was a volunteer with the organization could help her sore heels and back pain.
‘I didn’t want to be labeled as uncooperative, so finally I said okay,’ writes Raisman.
In her book Fierce, that came out on Tuesday, the Olympic gold medalist details sexual assault allegations against Dr Larry Nassar
She immediately realized something was different than her previous treatments, but said nothing at the time.
‘There was something about the massage that made me uncomfortable, but the staff member’s words stuck in my head,’ states Raisman.
This is the same story many of Nassar’s accusers have told, alleging that he would digitally penetrate them anally and vaginally with ungloved hands under the guise of treatment.
Raisman, who is the most high profile victim to emerge, has said that she will not go into specific detail about Nassar’s alleged abuse.
Dr. Nassar denies the allegations of all his accusers.
He is currently behind bars in a Michigan prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography in July.
Raisman, who is the most high profile victim to emerge, has said that she will not go into specific detail about Nassar’s alleged abuse
Authorities revealed back in December of last year that they had discovered over 37,000 images and videos of child pornography featuring girls as young as six and a Go Pro video of Nassar molesting a group of young girls in a pool.
Over 130 women have come forward to accuse Nassar, including Raisman’s Olympic teammate McKayla Maroney.
Many of these women, including Raisman and Maroney, claim they were underage at the time of their first alleged assault.