Investigative Journalism: Nellie Bly And Upton Sinclair

Investigative journalism came into existence in the late 1800s. The idea behind investigative journalism was that it revealed the hidden and evil truths that were usually very deep and buried within society. Nellie Bly and Upton Sinclair unraveled layer after layer of corruption and abuse concerning hospitals, factories, and corporations and fought for justice for the people who had little or no voice at all. The undaunted pursuit of uncovering the truth created a line of opportunity for exposing abuse within youth sports and the protection of athletes unable to protect themselves through organizations such as Safe Sport. Investigative journalism has given survivors the strength to confront what is unimaginable.

My connection to the impact
His words were weapons, tearing into us with precision that left lasting scars. Cruel phrases like, “You’re nothing but a failure,” were the mildest of his verbal assaults. More often, he hurled deeply hurtful and inappropriate insults, from body shaming to degrading remarks that no child should ever hear—especially from an adult they trusted. He twisted the idea of “tough love” into relentless psychological abuse, making us feel we were only as good as our last routine. We were left feeling hollow, confused, and ashamed—not just of our performances, but of who we were as human beings. I grew up thinking that his cruelty was normal, that this was simply the cost of
In gymnastics, a coach’s hands are supposed to be a lifeline—catching you mid-air, guiding you to safety. I trusted Jean-Luc completely, never realizing the manipulation and betrayal happening right under my nose. Sometimes, his touch would linger too long or feel unsettling, but I rationalized it, convincing myself he was just doing what was necessary to keep me safe. I brushed off the unease, burying it deep in my mind.

Eventually, I quit gymnastics, thinking I had left everything behind. But years later, I learned the darkest truth: Jean-Luc had been arrested, pleading guilty to multiple counts of child sexual abuse and molestation. The revelations shattered me. He had used his authority and trust to prey on countless young girls, turning moments meant for guidance into nightmares. What should have been a space of protection and encouragement had been warped into a theater of unimaginable abuse, leaving us broken and