Valerie Webb
To all my sisters, we need to stand, fight back, and not rest until this mess is mopped up, each and every crumb. Thank you.
date of testimony: January 22th 2018
location of testimony: Lansing, Michigan
age of first abuse: 10
Thank you for allowing me to be here and allowing me to share my story.
As I typed this I was at a loss for words because my body was enraged with anger and anxiety. My fingers and my body shaked just thinking about the countless times that I was molested by you.
I was a gymnast since I was four years old and started at Twistars at about age seven. As I progressed in levels the aches and pains got more serious and that’s when I would see Larry at least once a week. At that point seeing him was part of the club, everyone saw him.
Soon I hurt my back to the point where gymnastics became a problem so I went to MSU to see him in his clinic. I was now 10.
I was asked to change into baggy shorts. I figured it was just so he could examine me better.
As I lie there on the table exposed his ungloved hands moved up to a spot that had never been penetrated before. He began to press so hard that it hurt me, but I was assured that this would help my back. When he released, he asked if I felt better.
I said, no. He pushed harder and further while he began to simultaneously press my back.
After this treatment he did other exercises to help my back and make it feel better. The so-called treatment never made my back feel better. He even was able to do this while my mom was in the room. This just meant convincing her that it meant less surgery for my back and it would get me back to gymnastics. I now have had seven back surgeries and have been a victim of sexual abuse. Larry, you manipulated me to think that I was the one who was wrong. The things you did to me had to be for my own good and for the better good of my back. Why would a doctor, of all people, not give me the best treatment? Larry, you brought me close to you so that you could manipulate me for your own good, make me think that you were a good person and doing this to help me, but all along it was only to help yourself.
While I might be angry with myself for not recognizing it sooner, I am more infuriated that I continued to see a doctor who molested me and made it hard for me to thrive in so many ways — in so many ways that a college senior should be.
To all my sisters, we need to stand, fight back, and not rest until this mess is mopped up, each and every crumb. Thank you.
THE COURT: Thank you for your words. I need you to forgive yourself. You didn’t know. And I don’t think you’ve done that yet. You haven’t recognized that as a child you’re supposed to be protected, and you are not to blame for anything.
You need to let that go.
MS. WEBB: Okay.
THE COURT: You could not have possibly known, and you were taught the right things, trust a doctor, right?
MS. WEBB: (Nods).
THE COURT: That’s not your fault. We all teach our children that. I teach my children that.
This isn’t your fault. You need to let that go right here.
You are really strong to make that statement in front of all of these people and, really, the world. Don’t be angry with yourself. Be proud of yourself. I’m proud of you. We are all very proud of you, because your voice stands with your sister survivors, and in strength you are not just dealing with this defendant but with all of those who want to harm children. There is an answer. There are strong voices and you’re part of that so be proud. Don’t be angry. Shed it here. Walk out of this courtroom, hold your head high, and get stronger and stronger. You have that in you. I see it. You need to feel it. Let’s start with forgiving yourself.
MS. WEBB: Thank you.
