Jax native to receive part of $500M settlement in Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal
She was 15. He was her doctor. He did not use gloves when he inserted his hands into her body. Jacksonville native Jessica Howard is one of Larry Nassar's victims.
NEW YORK CITY -- She was 15. He was her doctor. He did not use gloves when he inserted his hands into her body. Jacksonville native Jessica Howard is one of Larry Nassar’s victims.
Howard and more than 330 other survivors will receive part of a $500 million settlement from Michigan State University following the sexual abuse at the hands of Nassar. He worked at the university and with USA Gymnastics. He will likely spend the rest of his life in prison.
“I just think it’s a massive victory," Howard said. "I can’t help but think it sends a huge message to institutions that are actively involved in the lives of students and children that they better get their act together. They better put policies and procedures in place that are going to make sure to bests of their abilities that these predators do not have a place at their institutions.”
Howard, a former national champion, grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and was among the first gymnasts to speak out against Nassar in 2016 after the Indy Star started investigating allegations of abuse.
“Hopefully, it scares the tar out of any institution that maybe have the same structures and don’t have things in place that will save their athletes,” Howard said.
'He didn't look intimidating'
Howard fell in love with rhythmic gymnastics at the age of 10.
“By the time I was 15, I was the national champion, and I won three years in a row,” Howard said.
Her talent and passion landed her on the cover of magazines and in the Florida Times-Union.
“I don’t think the general public understands how strong the dream and drive is to make the Olympic games and how much power you put in the hands of USA Gymnastics and your coaches," she said. "You’re willing to do anything. It’s the most pure, innocent, all-consuming drive."
At the age of 15, she says she was sent to Texas for a week to see Nassar to treat her debilitating hip pain.
“USA Gymnastics suggested I go to the Karolyi Ranch to see their doctor, and of course you do whatever USA Gymnastics says,' she said. "They are the end all be all. You trust them and don’t ask any questions because they are in complete control of the trajectory of your career."
And her parents trusted them too.
“My parents always had a rule of traveling with me, but they didn’t in this case,” Howard said. “From the first time I saw Larry he just seemed like a nice guy, a doctor, somebody you could trust.”
Nassar was the premier doctor. She said it was an honor to get to see him, and the fact he did not look intimidating made him the perfect serial predator.
“He did ask me not to wear underwear with my shorts, and I thought that was strange, but you just do what you are told,” Howard said. “You have to understand I was an extremely innocent child. My father was a minister. My mom had four kids so I understood the basics but had no idea of what sexual contact was.”
The first time she went to see him, she says, the sexual abuse began and continued throughout that week under the guise of treatment.
“I was on the table and he started massaging my legs and with absolutely no warning or explanation, and now I know the no gloves thing was absolutely illegal and criminal, he inserted his hands inside of me and just massaged and kept them there and I was rigid," she said. "I knew something was wrong. It’s not like I thought that was part of treatment, but you just don’t know what’s happening. You feel totally helpless, and there’s nothing you can do.”
'Abuse steals years of your life'
Howard says the abuse stole years of her life.
“Sexual abuse is not just something that happens once and then you’re free to go it’s okay," she said. "It affects you, not just your body, but the way you deal with relationships in the future. It can affect your entire life. I’ve been dealing with those effects for 14 years now. The level of depression and hopelessness often leads to, if not suicide, something close to it and that is life-threatening and it’s not just about someone who violated your body when you were 15. It goes far beyond that.”
Howard, now 34, says it wasn’t until 2016 after she got a call about the Indy Star’s investigation into allegations of abuse by Nassar that she came forward about what had happened to her.
“We had all been through such hell and we wanted to make sure that never happened to anyone again, but just the way this evolved and the sheer number of victims and the way these institutions have protected this culture of abuse. It has just been so shocking,” Howard said.
She now works with young athletes in New York City where she resides. She says this is bigger than what happened to her and the other gymnasts. The sexual abuse of young athletes and widespread, and she is on a mission to change that.
What parents can do
“It is absolutely vital that parents understand this is not something that is happening to other people or in a city or state or organization far, far away," Howard said. "This is something that could be happening, very possibly in your local dojo or ballet studio or gymnastics studio because there are very few laws that control coaches.”
She encourages parents to talk to their kids and says they are often their children’s only line of protection.
“I think you need to set up standards in your home as far as what is okay,” Howard said. “As far as communication with your coach, your coach needs to be in contact with me. Never have contact with your coach privately. If you’re texting or communicating with your coach it has to be in a group. Never talk to your coach alone in a room. Ever. It’s not okay”
The safety of athletes must be the top priority, not medals and money, she said.
“It’s completely systemic and institutional, and that is very clear. These people knew," she said.
Far too many people looked the other way and allowed a predator easy access to unassuming girls, she said.
“Organizations have to set up policies and procedures and educate students, children and parents to make sure this doesn’t happen because when it does it sets off a chain of events and emotional reactions that can destroy the future of the victim," Howard said. “It’s left me incapable of having a future for 14 years, I don’t know what my life would have been like, but I had potential.”
Lawsuits against USA Gymnastics and U.S. Olympic Committee are still working their way through the court system, but Howard says this has never been about money.
“I do believe this is justice, but it’s not nearly the end. Justice was never a monetary number,” said Howard. “I think there is so much more to be done. This is not just about finalizing settlements. This is about saving generations of women, women and men, saving them from lives ruined by abuse.”
Leslie King, Vice President of Communications with USA Gymnastics, sent First Coast News this statement regarding the settlement with Michigan State University.
“USA Gymnastics is very encouraged by the settlement in principle recently made by Michigan State University and the attorneys for the Larry Nassar survivors. We remain committed to continuing our mediation efforts to reach resolution as well.
We are focused every day on creating a highly empowered culture that prioritizes athlete safety in a positive environment – one that encourages and supports our athletes, including speaking up about difficult topics. The Athlete Assistance Fund created by the National Gymnastics Foundation further supports our commitment to our athletes and their well-being. The Athlete Assistance Fund provides financial resources for counseling and related services for any current or former gymnast who was a member of USA Gymnastics and suffered sexual abuse within the sport of gymnastics. Eligible athletes may apply for assistance by visiting phpAAFund.org.
In partnership with the gymnastics community, USA Gymnastics remains dedicated to creating a culture of empowerment for the young men and women who are pursuing their gymnastics dreams today while honoring those who have gone before them. We are focused on doing everything we can to prevent this from happening again by making bold decisions and holding ourselves to the highest standards. We look to these incredibly brave survivors to help in making USA Gymnastics stronger, safer and more empowered.”
Michigan State University says the settlement is not officially final yet, so it has not been released publicly. Attorneys representing the 332 survivors and MSU attorneys agreed to a global settlement in principle totaling $500 million; $425 million will be paid to current claimants, $75 million will be set aside in a trust fund to protect any future claimants alleging sexual abuse by Nassar. The exact terms of the payout to each survivor will be determined by a third party selected by the plaintiffs’ attorneys. MSU will not be involved.