Gabby Douglas says women should 'dress modestly' in response to sex abuse claims by Aly Raisman
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Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas drew criticism on social media Friday after saying women should "dress modestly and be classy" in response to claims by Aly Raisman that a former USA Gymnastics team doctor sexually abused her.
Douglas posted the since-deleted tweet on Friday afternoon after Raisman detailed some of the reaction to her accusations against Dr. Larry Nasser.
"Just to be clear," Raisman posted on Friday. "Just because a woman does a sexy photoshoot or wears a sexy outfit does not give a man the right to shame her or not believe her when she comes forward about sexual abuse."
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Raisman told CBS' "60 Minutes" this past Sunday that she was 15 when she was first treated by Nasser, who is now awaiting sentencing in a Michigan prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.
After Raisman's tweet, Douglas responded "however [sic] it is our responsibility as women to dress modestly and be classy. dressing [sic] in a provocative/sexual way entices the wrong crowd."
That drew a response from Simone Biles, who set the gymnastics world alight by winning four gold medals at last year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
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"Honestly seeing this brings me to tears [because] as your teammate I expected more from you & to support her," Biles wrote. "I support you Aly & all the other women out there."
Biles added that Douglas' comment "shocks me ... but it doesn't surprise me."
Douglas posted a new message saying she "didn't correctly word" her reply to Raisman.
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"[R]egardless of what you wear, abuse under any circumstance is never acceptable. [I] am WITH you," said Douglas, who concluded her post with the "#MeToo" hashtag.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.