Michigan Lawmakers Face Pressure from Abuse Survivors on Legislative Reform
Proposals aimed at extending the statute of limitations for survivors of criminal sexual misconduct in Michigan are gaining momentum in the state’s legislature, driven by advocacy from survivors themselves. These bills propose critical changes that many believe will empower survivors and hold institutions accountable.
Dr. Airron Richardson, who survived abuse by the late University of Michigan athletics doctor Robert Anderson, emphasized the significance of these legislative measures. During a press conference, Richardson stated, “It means survivors will have more time to process what happened to them and build the courage to come forward. And it means that organizations, which have every reason to know abusers were working within their buildings but did nothing to stop additional assaults, can be held accountable.”
The proposed legislation aims to not only extend the timeframe for filing charges and lawsuits but also to end liability protections for government entities, such as schools, that fail to act against known sexual misconduct.
Grace French, a survivor of abuse by former Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar, highlighted the need for these reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future. She pointed out the necessity of institutional accountability, saying, “It’s incredibly frustrating when institutions don’t take responsibility for their actions. And that’s what this is going to help remedy, is that we’re able to hold institutions accountable for their actions and make sure that policies and procedures are in place.”
These legislative efforts, initially introduced over a year and a half ago, have faced delays in the House despite passing through committee stages. The recent passage by the Michigan Senate after a prolonged session has rekindled hopes for progress. However, compromises have been made, including adjusting the maximum age for survivors to file lawsuits from 51 to 41, as opposed to the current legal limit of 27.
Despite these developments, a vote in the Michigan House has yet to be scheduled. Wednesday’s session saw a lack of quorum, as all 54 Republicans and at least one Democrat were absent, preventing any voting. Anderson survivor Tad DeLuca criticized the absence of lawmakers, describing them as “accomplices” to abuse and stressing the urgency of the proposed reforms.
As pressure mounts, House Democrats are reportedly expecting all their members to attend the next session. However, as of Wednesday evening, the bills were still pending inclusion on the legislative agenda.
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