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Gabby Douglas ‘deeply sorry’ for terrible tweet linking
immodest dress and sexual abuse
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Article By Rebecca Johnson // EEW Magazine News
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Posted November 20, 2017
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Gabby Douglas at The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's 28th annual 'A Time For Heroes' family festival at
Smashbox Studios on October 29, 2017 in Culver City, California. (Photo Credit:Joe Scarnici/Getty)
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It was the terrible tweet read around the world and Christian U.S. gold medalist Gabby Douglas
says she is “deeply sorry” for posting it.
On Friday, Nov. 17, when the American gymnast suggested that immodestly dressed women bear
some responsibility in their own sexual abuse, the Internet exploded.
“It is our responsibility as women to dress modestly and be classy. Dressing in a provocative/sexual
way entices the wrong crowd,” said the 21-year-old conservative, whose expressed views on
modesty—a praiseworthy virtue—came at the wrong time.
While there is nothing wrong with championing modesty, something the Bible says believers should
embrace according to 1 Timothy 2:9, that tone deaf tweet could not have come at a worse time.
Here’s why.
Douglas was responding to an anti-victim-shaming post published by fellow gymnast, and sexual
abuse survivor, Aly Raisman.
“A sexy outfit does not give a man the right to shame her or not believe her when she comes
forward about sexual abuse,” posted 23-year-old Raisman, who alleged that she suffered abuse at
the hands of U.S. Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar for years.
The gymnast, turned crusader against, sexual violence is absolutely right to tell her young fans that
it is never okay for men to take advantage of them—no matter what is or isn’t covered on their
bodies. After all, men don’t rape outfits; they rape women.
Covering up does not protect women and girls from predators.
Douglas, who obviously took umbrage with Raisman’s comments telling women to wear “whatever
they feel good in”—even if it is showing a lot of skin—felt compelled to elaborate on her Fierce Five
teammate’s statement.
That was a huge mistake.
After a firestorm of controversy erupted, Douglas deleted the offensive tweet and quickly expressed
her support for her teammates and other victims.
In her apology she said, "I didn't correctly word my reply & I am deeply sorry for coming off like I
don't stand alongside my teammates. Regardless of what you wear, abuse under any circumstance
is never acceptable. I am WITH you.”
The repentant athlete, who is a role model for millions of girls worldwide, ended her apologetic
statement with “#MeToo”—the viral two-word hashtag condemning sexual harassment and assault.
Though Douglas denies that she believes immodesty and sexual abuse go hand-in-hand, this
mindset is endemic in society. Many argue that women who are sexually violated, harassed, and
assaulted “ask for it” due to their actions or dress. Unfortunately, this pervasive view contributes to
the reluctance of victims to come forward, for fear of being shamed, condemned, and blamed for
the cruel, and psychologically damaging acts perpetrated against them.
Raisman is the second member of Douglas’s Olympic team to say she was sexually abused by Dr.
Nassar. Last month, McKayla Maroney said the perverse physician began taking advantage of her
at age 13 at a U.S. national team training camp in Texas. He continued the abuse until she left the
sport.
Nassar, the team physician for nearly 20 years, pleaded guilty to federal child-pornography
charges in June and has been accused by more than 100 women and girls of sexual assault during
his time as USA gymnastics' team doctor.
According to The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the largest anti-sexual assault
organization in the United States, every 98 seconds, another person experiences sexual assault,
and only 6 out of every 1,000 rapists will end up in prison.
This is, no doubt, a teachable moment for Douglas who has her own Barbie, multiple endorsement
deals, and is a best-selling author. Hopefully she will find a way to make amends and use her
platform to educate girls about sexual abuse, and better advocate on behalf of survivors.
Perhaps you are struggling with the pain of sexual abuse. If so, let Empowering Everyday Women
Ministries pray with you that God will give you peace and heal your brokenness. Click here for
prayer.
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