More than 150 women and girls have come forward with horrific stories of abuse during the sentencing hearings of former U.S. Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who has been charged with seven counts of criminal sexual abuse. While the testimonies have been painful, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina has listened to each one carefully, offering many women kind words of advice, encouragement, and comfort.

Aquilina, 59, has made it her mission to give voice to Nassar’s victims and let them finally speak out against their abuser—especially since many of them had been ignored when they had reported his behavior in the past. In the process Aquilina has emerged as a fierce support system, eager to create a safe environment for victims of abuse in her courtroom.

Below are some of the moments in which Aquilina has shown her care and empathy, and proved she’s the advocate many of the victims needed.

After Nassar wrote a letter to the court expressing concern about his ability to withstand multiple days of testimony, Aquilina replied:“Spending four or five days listening to them is minor, considering the hours of pleasure you've had at their expense, ruining their lives…. You may find it harsh that you are here listening, but nothing is as harsh as what your victims endured for thousands of hours at your hands.”

After hearing the testimony of Amanda Cormier, a music lover who said she couldn’t write or perform after Nassar’s abuse, Aquilina said:“It seems to me, after this, you can finish writing. You found your voice. It's a strong, effective, brave voice, and you have a child coming. Maybe what you need to do is start and finish a lullaby."

Following Olympic gold medallist Aly Raisman’s jarring statement, Aquilina told her:“I'm an adult. I'm listening. I’m sorry it took this long, but I assure you that all of the words that you and your sister-survivors have said and will say are being considered for sentencing.”

Responding to Taylor Cole, a woman who testified she suffers from anxiety and lack of sleep because of Nassar, Aquilina said:“Push away those nightmares. He’s gone. Your words replace what he’s done to you.”

The judge also imagined what she'd like to do to Nassar if not for the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:"Our Constitution does not allow for cruel and unusual punishment. If it did, I have to say, I might allow what he did to all of these beautiful souls—these young women in their childhood—I would allow someone or many people to do to him what he did to others."

Aquilina told another victim:"I wish my robe came with a magic wand so I can wave it over you and heal you. But that's fairy tales.”

After hearing a dancer talk about her struggles and thoughts of suicide, Aquilina told her:“Only the defendant [Nassar] would be better off if you were not here. Please stay with us. Stay with your family. Your children need you.”

Aquilina told gymnast Bailey Lorencen:“The military has not yet come up with fiber as strong as you…. Mattel ought to make toys so that little girls can look at you and say, ‘I want to be her.’ Thank you so much for being here, and for your strength.”

The judge also said to one woman:"The monster who took advantage of you is going to wither, much like the scene in the 'Wizard of Oz' where the water gets poured on the witch and the witch withers away," Aquilina told one woman. “That's what's going to happen to him, because as you get stronger, as you overcome, because you will, he gets weaker and he will wither away. Prison is no place for a human being to live."

And also:“Leave your pain here and go out and do your magnificent things.”