Review: “What’s a Girl Worth?” by Rachael DenHollander
Content Warning: While this article does not contain descriptions of sexual abuse, the book reviewed does contain detailed descriptions of sexual abuse. Please read with care and caution.
In August 2016, a lengthy article released by IndyStar detailed USA Gymnastics’ repeated history of turning a blind eye to sexual abuse within the organization. Within a month, more than 150 women came forward, accusing Larry Nassar, a sports medicine doctor for Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, of sexual abuse. After a year of litigation, investigations and trials, Nassar was convicted of multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct, resulting in a lengthy prison sentence. Rachael DenHollander, author of What’s a Girl Worth?, was the first of Nassar’s victims to publicly come forward, courageously sharing her story and pursuing justice for herself and her fellow victims.
What’s a Girl Worth? chronicles Rachael’s upbringing, her experience of sexual abuse, and the process of coming forward publicly as a victim of Nassar’s crimes. Throughout her book, you’ll observe a few key themes: the danger of silence, the toll abuse takes on victims, and the necessity and power of better accountability systems.
The Danger of Silence
Silence has consequences. Over the course of several years, there were several instances where abuse was disclosed (by Rachael or others) to people in authority; who then chose to remain silent instead of taking action. When Rachael disclosed the abuse she experienced to a fellow gymnastics coach, the coach dismissed her.
Nassar’s established reputation as a caring, talented sports medicine doctor made him seemingly ‘untouchable’. Therefore, Nassar’s work and medical practice couldn’t be brought into question. Larry Nassar, an abuser? There’s no way it was possible! Even though there were multiple reports of abuse filed against Nassar, nobody who received the information did anything to investigate. Nassar was allowed to spend decades abusing innocent girls. Silence from those in power allowed him unlimited access to victims.
The Toll of Abuse on Victims
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Rachael’s story chronicles the lifelong psychological, physical, emotional and spiritual toll abuse takes on victims. She describes the hours she spent journaling, wrestling with why and how the abuse happened. She reflects on her dislike of being in close proximity with others; always concerned about what they’ll do to her. For years, she blamed herself for the abuse she endured, believing herself to be unworthy of love and romantic connection. She questioned her place in religious communities. When Rachael went through the disclosure and reporting process as an adult, the abuse she’d experienced years prior continued to take its toll on her mind and body.
The Necessity and Power of Better Accountability Systems
The investigation of Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics was a telling sign of a desperate need for an improved system of accountability. A timeline from USA Today chronicles the amount of times abuse allegations were filed against Nassar and shows the lack of fortitude by those in power to hold him accountable for his actions.
The story Rachael tells publicly and courageously demonstrates the power of a system that demands accountability. In the end, law enforcement officials, lawyers, and other stakeholders took her, and other victims’ reports seriously and were committed to seeing the truth revealed; resulting in Nassar’s conviction and lengthy sentence. This triumph of justice is something to be celebrated.
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However, not all victims of sexual abuse have experienced a system that holds their abuser accountable. Improvements in accountability systems throughout the country are still being fought for today. According to 2015 statistics, in the United States alone, over 63% of sexual assaults and abuse go unreported. A mere 12% of child sexual abuse is reported to authorities. Rachael’s story is one where accountability and justice ultimately prevail. But there are thousands of victims in the United States and across the world who have yet to experience justice.
In her victim impact statement, the final one read at Larry Nassar’s trial, Rachel remarked,
“Who is going to tell these little girls that what was done to them matters? That they are seen and valued, that they are not alone and they are not unprotected? And I could not do that, but we are here now and today that message can be sent with the sentence you hand down. You can communicate to all these little girls and to every predator to every little girl or young woman who is watching how much a little girl is worth.”
“I ask that you [the judge] hand down a sentence that tells us that what was done to us matters, that we are known, we are worth everything, worth the greatest protection the law can offer, the greatest measure of justice available.”
Victims like Rachael and thousands of others deserve justice, protection, and systems of accountability that expose and punish those complicit in their abuse.
This is a book and story that shouldn’t have to be written, yet it speaks to a broader issue in the church and society: the temptation to sweep abuse of all kinds (physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual, and others) under the rug in the name of protecting ‘trusted’ authority figures, thus permitting accountability systems to continue in their failure. Since Nassar’s trial and sentencing, Rachael has continued to advocate for victims of physical and spiritual abuse around the world through her public speaking and writing, calling individual churches and denominations to account for mishandling cases of abuse within their walls.
Rachael’s story is heartbreaking and motivating at the same time. It encouraged me to pursue justice for those who desperately need it, and to be more bold and willing to call out abuse wherever and whenever I see it, regardless of the cost. Whether you are a survivor, supporting a survivor, or simply seeking to learn more, What’s a Girl Worth? is a must-read. To get your copy, visit Tyndale Publishers or Amazon.
Leah Jolly is a graduate of Wheaton College where she studied international relations and Spanish. She lives in the Grand Rapids area with her husband, Logan, and is pursuing her MDiv at Calvin Theological Seminary. After finishing her MDiv, Leah hopes to pursue a PhD and work as an editor and professor. In her free time, Leah enjoys spending time with family and friends, writing, traveling, and reading.