HOUSTON – Several victims who accused former sports doctor Larry Nassar of sexual assault are filing lawsuits against the International Federation of Gymnastics, USA Gymnastics, the United States Olympic committee and Michigan State University, attorneys announced in a press release Thursday.
The lawsuits say the ex-doctor molested his victims "under the guise of performing medical treatment." The suit also says that USA Gymnastics, the organization that hired Nassar, did not reveal the abuse to the victims' families, the U.S. Olympic Committee, Michigan State University and law enforcement agencies.
"The thousands of children and young women who participate in the sport of gymnastics and those who participate in college athletics deserve to be protected," said victims' attorney Mo Aziz.
Two suits were filed this week. While Aziz represents the five Texas athletes who claim Nassar abused them, only one filed suit this week.
"There's actually multiple victims from Texas, not all have decided to come forward yet. But, the Texas lawsuit was filed to Harris County state court, the Michigan case is filed in federal court," Aziz said.
Two Michigan victims traveled to Harris County to share their stories. One of the attorneys said the organizations should have acted decades ago.
"As a former athlete who competed in a sport for the United States myself, I know the complete trust these young women put in their coaches, their trainers, and organizations like FIG and USAG. Not only did they fail to protect these young women, they also have continued to engage in a culture of silence that is designed to protect their multi-million dollar institutions and enterprises rather than protect the bodies and spirits of these young female athletes," said victims' attorney Michelle Simpson Tuegel.
"The trauma these women have suffered as a result of the sexual abuse and assaults has only been made worse by the failure of these institutions to take meaningful responsibility for what happened to these young girls on their watch," said victims' attorney James White.
Two Michigan victims spoke out, traveling to Houston.
"I was 15 years old. I was just starting high school -- thinking about what sports I wanted to play and what classes I'd like to take," said victim Emily Vincent.
Vincent was a high school swimmer who would go to Michigan State University to see Nassar for a back and shoulder injury. As a 21-year-old now, she said she realized the way Nassar touched her was abuse.
"No 15-year-old has to experience this. No young woman should have to feel violated and that her body is no longer her own," Vincent said.
Victoria Carlson, 21, was also a teen and was a gymnast who would see Nassar regularly for treatment.
"The appointments were always really friendly. He did a lot of grooming. My parents trusted him. I trusted him. He was a big part of my life," Carlson said. "You could ask anyone in the gymnastics community -- if you're injured, Larry was your guy."
Carlson said the then "beloved" Nassar had abused her only once, however, she's hoping to inspire athletes with stories like hers to also come forward.
"I didn't even know I was a victim until reading another woman's story -- a story where she describes her 'treatment' and called it abuse ... So I decided that since it only happened to me one time, and it didn't sound as serious as with others described, I decided I should just stay quiet and that nobody needed to know what happened to me," Carlson said. "Maybe all these years later you're only just recognizing Larry's treatment for the abuse that it was and maybe it only happened to you one time -- your story matters."
The lawsuit cited examples where girls described alleged abuse and MSU Gymnastics leaders allegedly dismissed allegations as "medical treatment." Some suggested protocols, lawyers point out, were never enforced.
"We need peace of mind that someone is going to follow through because if one person had just followed through, I don't think we'd be here today," Carlson said. "The only way we win is by doing what so many officials failed to do."