House Oversight Committee opens probe into sexual abuse of gymnasts

The House Oversight Committee announced Thursday that it is opening an investigation into sexual abuse of young female gymnasts following the sentencing of former doctor Larry Nassar.

Nassar has been sentenced to up to more than a century in prison for serially sexually abusing young gymnasts who sought treatment for their sports injuries.

A total of 156 women testified about his abuse at his sentencing hearing last month, as well as another 60 women at another sentencing hearing last week.

{mosads}

Oversight Committee leaders are asking entities involved, including the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University, for documentation of how they handled complaints against Nassar.

“To ensure this never happens again, the Committee is seeking to understand what failed within our Olympic and collegiate systems, and why,” a letter from Oversight Committee members to USA Gymnastics President Kerry Perry reads.

“Sexual assault should never be tolerated, but when it does occur, it is imperative that swift and immediate action be taken to stop the abuse, prevent it from recurring, and address its effects.”

Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), ranking Democrat Elijah Cummings (Md.) and Reps. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Steve Russell (R-Okla.) are leading the probe.

Since Nassar’s sentencing, lawmakers of both parties have called on Congress to investigate how Nassar’s abuse went unabated for years.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee late last month began investigating sexual abuse in organized sports beyond gymnastics, including USA Swimming and USA Taekwondo.

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced a resolution on Wednesday that would establish a special committee to investigate how the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics responded to the allegations against Nassar.

The Oversight Committee’s announcement comes a week after Congress sent legislation to President Trump’s desk that requires athletic organizations to swiftly report sexual abuse and establish preventative policies.

The bill requires reporting of sexual abuse allegations to law enforcement within 24 hours. It also directs athletic organizations to establish “reasonable procedures” to limit one-on-one interactions between athletes who are minors and adults who aren’t their legal guardians.

Trump has not yet signed the measure into law.