What Does Reconciliation Mean for Sexual Abuse Survivors? (Rachael and Jacob Denhollander)

Rachael Denhollander is an attorney, author, advocate, and educator who is recognized as a leading voice on the topic of sexual abuse. She became known internationally in 2016 as the first woman to pursue criminal charges and speak publicly against USA Gymnastics’ team doctor Larry Nassar, one of the most prolific sexual abusers in recorded history. In 2019 she published an autobiographical account of her experience entitled, What is a Girl Worth?: My Story of Breaking the Silence and Exposing the Truth about Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics.

For her work as an advocate and educator on sexual assault, Rachael was named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” and one of Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year” in 2018. Additionally, she received the “Inspiration of the Year” award from Sports Illustrated, was a joint recipient of ESPN’s “Arthur Ashe Courage Award,” and was named a “Michiganian of the Year” by the Detroit News, along numerous other awards and recommendations.

Rachael lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband Jacob and their four young children.

Jacob Denhollander is a member of Reformed Baptist Church of Louisville, where he is the only member who watches hockey. Jacob is also a PhD student in Systematic Theology at Southern Seminary, and intends to return to Western Canada upon the completion of his degree.