University of California, Berkeley
Justice and Forgiveness: A Conversation on Sexual Assault
February 21, 2019
Rachel Denhollander is a lawyer and former gymnast, widely known as the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar—former team doctor for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University—of sexual assault. A 15-year-old club gymnast when Nassar first assaulted her, Denhollander went on to study law before coming forward with her accusations in 2016. Her courage inspired an outflow of witnesses, turning Nassar’s case into a nationwide reckoning on power, manipulation, and justice. In 2018, after Nassar had been tried and convicted, Denhollander then pierced the national conscience with an uncompromising testimony at his sentencing hearing. Her speech raised pressing questions for our current cultural moment: What is justice? Who is to be believed? How do mercy and forgiveness relate to justice? On February 20, Veritas at Stanford will be hosting Denhollander for an exploration of these ideas. The forum will explore Denhollander’s experience as a victim and advocate and the personal and religious forces behind her advocacy.
Presenters
Rachael Denhollander
University of California, Berkeley
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