Watch Breaking Their Silence: Inside the Gymnastics Scandal

Breaking Their Silence: Inside the Gymnastics Scandal is a 2018 documentary that delves deep into the horrific sexual abuse scandal that rocked the world of gymnastics in 2016. Produced by ESPN Films, the film sheds light on the bravery of the survivors who came forward and the dark reality of the sport of gymnastics. The film begins by introducing the viewer to some of the survivors who were sexually abused by Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics sports doctor. The survivors share their stories of abuse and the traumatizing impact it has had on their lives. One of the most powerful aspects of the film is the way in which these survivors tell their stories. They do so with strength, vulnerability, and remarkable courage. As they recount their experiences, they are joined by other survivors and advocates who have fought for justice and accountability for the gymnasts who were abused.

The documentary provides a comprehensive look at how the abuse was able to occur for so long in the gymnastics community. It covers the ways in which USA Gymnastics failed to protect the athletes, silenced abuse allegations, and prioritized the success of the sports organization over the safety and well-being of the gymnasts. In particular, the film sheds light on how the culture of gymnastics encouraged silence, compliance, and an unhealthy level of pressure and competition, putting athletes at even greater risk for abuse.

Breaking Their Silence also explores the role of Nassar in the scandal. Nassar, who served as the USA Gymnastics team doctor from 1996 to 2015, was convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse and sentenced to up to 175 years in prison. The documentary shows how Nassar ingratiated himself with the families and young gymnasts, using his position of authority and the guise of medical treatment to abuse them for years.

The film includes interviews with Nassar's victims, investigations into his past, and shocking news footage of Nassar's trial. As Nassar's tactics are revealed, we see how predators like him can become entrenched in systems, manipulating the power dynamics to commit abuse and silence victims for fear of retaliation. The vulnerability of the gymnasts and the culture of their sport made them particularly vulnerable to this type of abuse.

The film culminates with the sentencing of Nassar, as several survivors' voices are heard reading their victim impact statements in court. These statements were a watershed moment, as they gave voice to so many survivors who had felt alone and silenced for years. Breaking Their Silence demonstrates the power of speaking out and the need for accountability in organizations that have a duty of care for children and young people.

Finally, the documentary shows how the survivors, their families, and the gymnastics community are working to bring about change. The survivors join forces with advocates to push for reforms in USA Gymnastics, and to create platforms to support other survivors of abuse. Through their bravery, the gymnasts who came forward have sparked a movement, with ex-gymnast Aly Raisman leading the charge to hold USA Gymnastics accountable for the safety and well-being of their athletes. The film highlights the importance of continued vigilance against abuse and the need to never forget the difficult journey and sacrifice of the survivors.

Overall, Breaking Their Silence: Inside the Gymnastics Scandal is a powerful and moving documentary that shines a light on the devastating impact of sexual abuse on young athletes, and the need for action to prevent it from happening in the future. The stories of the survivors are heart-wrenching and inspiring, and their bravery and advocacy will continue to impact the lives of millions of young athletes around the world.

Breaking Their Silence: Inside the Gymnastics Scandal is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 40 minutes.