Title: What Is a Girl Worth? Pdf My Story of Breaking the Silence and Exposing the Truth About Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics
Recipient of Sports Illustrated's Inspiration of the Year Award and one of Time's 100 Most Influential People (2018)
"Who is going to tell these little girls that what was done to them matters? That they are seen and valued, that they are not alone and they are not unprotected?"
Rachael Denhollander's voice was heard around the world when she spoke out to end the most shocking scandal in US gymnastics history. The first victim to publicly accuse Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor who abused hundreds of young athletes, Rachael now reveals her full story for the first time. How did Nassar get away with it for so long? How did Rachael and the other survivors finally stop him and bring him to justice? And how can we protect the vulnerable in our own families, churches, and communities?
What Is a Girl Worth? is the inspiring true story of Rachael's journey from an idealistic young gymnast to a strong and determined woman who found the courage to raise her voice against evil, even when she thought the world might not listen. This deeply personal and compelling narrative shines a spotlight on the physical and emotional impact of abuse, why so many survivors are reluctant to speak out, what it means to be believed, the extraordinary power of faith and forgiveness, and how we can learn to do what's right in the moments that matter most.
It is a must read for all, and I do not say that lightly. This book is so timely in our culture. In her memoir, Rachael Denhollander recounts her life up to meeting Nassar, his abuse of her, the confusion and pain she experienced as a result of her abuse, and the subsequent fight to bring Nassar to justice for his serial abuse of young women in girls who sought them for medical care. Throughout the book Denhollander weaves in gospel truths, practical principles to support survivors, and warning signs of grooming behavior. Denhollander authentically describes the pain, grief that come as a result of abuse, and she offers hope and the deep healing that can only be found through Jesus Christ.Nassar abused the wrong little girl when he abused Denhollander. She recounts her study of law and the steps she took to face Nassar in court. The process she describes is brutal and long. Reading about her experience as a lawyer who is capable and prepared to report her abuse and face her abuser in court has helped me understand why so few survivors report the abuse they have experienced.As the public face of the Nassar trial and sentencing hearing, Denhollander has developed into a spokesperson and advocate for change in sport and the church with regards to sexual abuse. She courageously shares her heart for the body of Christ as she take on new levels of advocacy within the Christian world.If you experienced sexual abuse, you may find comfort in this memoir, you are not alone.If you know someone who has been sexually abused (and you probably do), this book will help you understand what they are going through and help you love and support them well.If you struggle to understand or believe survivors whose stories are filling the headlines of news outlets, this will bring clarity to the prevalence and patterns of grooming and abuse and help you identify what is true.As a campus minister, this book has been exceptionally helpful to me as I minister to and advocate for the survivors of sexual abuse.It is a must read for all, and I do not say that lightly.This is what it costs a survivor to speak, and the cost is great I stayed up later than I intended last night and finished "What is a Girl Worth?". I had followed the Nassar case after connecting with Jacob Denhollander on Twitter. He shared his wife’s story in the Indy Star article – a victim/survivor who had come forward to stop an evil man who had been abusing children for decades. As I read the articles and watched the news coverage, Rachael came across as so brave, strong, and capable. Her training as an attorney was evident in the clarity and power of her carefully chosen words. But her book reveals what was going on behind the scenes –Would anyone believe her and take this seriously?Was it too late to report?The internal turmoil and re-traumatization of having to retell her abuse.Turning her private journals over to Nassar’s defense team knowing that her abuser would be reading them himself.Waiting to be attacked personally by attempts to rip her reputation to shreds by powerful people in powerful organizations.Wondering if the case would be dismissed and her abuser allowed to continue unchecked.Fearing that this sacrifice was all in vain.This is what it costs a survivor to speak, and the cost is great. But it was counted and paid for the sake of justice and for the sake of all the little girls Larry Nassar abused."What is a Girl Worth?" was hard to put down. My heart ached for Rachael when she struggled to make sense of what happened to her, when she doubted herself, and wrestled with her faith. As I read, there was times when I asked myself, “Where on earth did she get the courage and stamina to do this?” But I think the answer is by the grace and power of God and the love and support of her family. But Rachael has also had more than her fair share of friendly fire. In fact, she and Jacob were pretty much told to stop speaking and posting publicly about child abuse and the SGM situation because if differed from the position their current church leaders were taking. I literally sat in silence for a few minutes digesting that paragraph because I was stunned. What are people really choosing to protect?This is probably the most emotional book review I have ever written. But when it comes to child abuse, maybe we need a little more feeling because our hearts have grown calloused. There’s plenty of outrage for a host of things, but where is the righteous anger against this heinous sin? Perhaps it is because we don’t love the least of these as we should. Perhaps this reveals the state of our love for God. And I wonder what would happen in the church and beyond if we had a fraction of Rachael Denhollander's courage to count the cost and protect the vulnerable within our walls? I pray books like "What is a Girl Worth?" will educate but also challenge the complacency and coldness of our hearts. God have mercy on us.
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