A total of 156 women gave testimony at the sentence hearing for the former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. On Wednesday, Nassar was jailed for up to 175 years and the judge paid tribute to the bravery of those who came forward to detail Nassar’s abuse. Below are some of the most striking stories.

Larry Nassar's 'death warrant': sexual abuser jailed for up to 175 years Read more

Kyle Stephens

Stephens was abused by Nassar, a family friend, between the ages of six and 12. She said that she told her parents about Nassar’s abuse but he convinced them she was lying.

Play Video 1:42 'Little girls don't stay little forever': abuse victims confront Larry Nassar – video

Let me remind you of the interests of a six-year-old girl. My favorite TV show was Clifford the Big Red Dog. I could not do a multiplication problem, and I still had not lost all my baby teeth. I think we can all agree that someone of this maturity level should not be sexually active, but I was. I testified to let the world know that you are a repulsive liar. Perhaps you have figured it out by now, but little girls don’t stay little for ever. They grow into strong women that destroy your world.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Jamie Dantzscher speaks during a sentencing hearing for Larry Nassar. Photograph: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

Jamie Dantzscher

Jamie Dantzscher, a 2000 Olympic bronze medalist who was one of the first women to publicly accuse Nassar, described her struggles with “anorexia, bulimia, and depression so severe that I was hospitalized for attempting suicide”.

I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. Why I was struggling so much. Why I didn’t feel proud of my accomplishments. I had zero self confidence … You are pure evil.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest McKayla Maroney competes on the uneven bars during the 44th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp in 2013. Photograph: John Thys/AFP/Getty Images

McKayla Maroney

McKayla Maroney, who helped the US gymnastics team to a gold medal at the London Olympics, gave her statement via a prosecutor.

For me, the scariest night of my life happened when I was 15 years old. I had flown all day and night to get to Tokyo [for a competition]. [Nassar gave] me a sleeping pill for the flight, and the next thing I know, I was all alone with him in his hotel room getting a ‘treatment’. I thought I was going to die that night. As it turns out ... Dr Nassar was not a doctor, he in fact is, was, and forever shall be, a child molester and a monster of a human being. End of story. He abused my trust, he abused my body and he left scars on my psyche that may never go away.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Aly Raisman speaks at the sentencing hearing for Larry Nassar. Photograph: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

Aly Raisman

Aly Raisman, a six-time Olympic medalist who went public with her story in November after speaking to FBI investigators, spoke directly to Nassar in court.

“Adult after adult protected you. How do you sleep at night? You are the person they had ‘take the lead on athlete care’. I cringe to think your influence remains in the policies they [USA Gymnastics] claim will make athletes safe. I will not rest until every last trace of the influence you had on this sport has been destroyed like the cancer it is.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Jordyn Wieber speaks at the sentencing hearing for Larry Nassar. Photograph: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

Jordyn Wieber

Jordyn Wieber helped the USA team known as the Fierce Five to a gold medal at the London Olympics. Nassar treated her as a patient between the ages of eight and 18.