Olympian Aly Raisman Talks Sexual Abuse: I Was 'In Denial'
Three-time Olympian Aly Raisman has spoken out about her horrific experience with sexual abuse, RadarOnline.com has learned. In a tell-all interview with 60 Minutes, the pro gymnast confessed that she was "in denial" for a long time about her experience. Even now she is still in shock over Dr. Larry Nassar's sick actions.
"You don't want to let yourself believe, but you know, I am a victim of sexual abuse," Raisman, 23, explained. "Like, it's really not an easy thing to let yourself believe that."
She claimed that on top of seeing the physician as a friend and confidante, she also was unaware of what sexual abuse really was – which is why she didn't realize the gravity of her situation until now.
"He would always bring me, you know, desserts or gifts," Raisman said. "He would buy me little things. So I really thought he was a nice person. I really thought he was looking out for me."
"My mom and I are so close," she told CBS. "I told her literally everything, except for that, because I didn't know. You know, I didn't know it was wrong. I never was educated on what being sexually abused really is."
Raisman's parents also spoke out about their daughter's abuse, saying that parents should educate their children on sexual assault and give them the tools to speak out if they are ever victims.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Raisman's claims come after fellow gymnast McKayla Maroney – and various other female athletes – alleged she was also a victim of Dr. Nassar.
The sleazy physician previously admitted to possession of child pornography and is currently being sued by 140 women. If convicted on any one of the 22 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct he is being charged with, Larry Nassar could be sentenced to life in prison.
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