The abuse case judge’s inspiring words of hope

IS THE jury still out on Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who sentenced USA gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar to 175 years for abusing more than 150 women and children?

With the proceedings being watched by millions on TV, some felt the judge was sometimes guilty of showboating. She told Nassar the lengthy sentence she had stipulated meant that: ‘I have just signed your death warrant.’

Courtrooms, even in America, should not encourage the judiciary to show any signs of relish or gloating. Yet Aquilina was often magnificent, especially when she encouraged the young women not to think of themselves as victims.

‘Leave your pain here,’ she said, as they told their stories of childhood sexual abuse. ‘Go out and do magnificent things. You are strong, you are healthy, you are not broken, you are a survivor.’

If only more was done to encourage young women, even those who have suffered abuse, to forge ahead despite everything — and be the heroines of their own lives.