Following heavy criticism over blunders made in the investigation around sexual abuse accusations by gymnasts, the Justice Department now intends to make changes in its reforms to revamp the way investigations are carried out.
The changes involve ethical and just ways in which prosecutors and federal agents not only handle crime survivors but also witnesses. The new changes would direct state authorities to coordinate in righteous ways with departments and people involved in a case. This decision comes after the entire Justice Department faced flak over grave errors that were not only conducted but also covered up during the FBI’s dealing of sexual abuse accusations by Gymnast Team USA against Larry Nassar, the team’s doctor.
Lisa Monaco, Deputy Attorney General, made this announcement assuring the departments will revise their internal policies to make sure investigators are well aware of rules and trained enough to handle crime survivors and appropriately assist witnesses, within designed laws. 58-year-old Nassar is serving a sentence of 40-to-174 years in prison. He was convicted after 156 girls and women accused him of sexual abuse they faced in the twenty years. However, an inspector at the Justice Department uncovered serious failures on the FBI’s side of the investigation.
It’s reported that while the FBI was informed in July 2015, the agency only started investigating seriously in September 2016. This gap not only proved to be misconduct from the agency’s side but also led to the exploitation of several victims as Nassar abused around 70 athletes in that period.
Olympic gymnast Simon Biles also stood up to the agency and expressed anger over the conduct. She mentioned how the agency enabled exploitation by turning a blind eye to serious accusations, and it’s only fair that the agency needs to own up and make amends.
