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Sexual Assault Awareness Month – History, Involvement, & Resources

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The topic of sexual assault is everywhere in the news lately. Society is moving toward open discussion and meaningful conversation regarding this rampant issue. Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime, showing that this conversation is long overdue. Part of the solution to altering these grim statistics is keeping the discussion alive and in the public spotlight. Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) focuses on doing just that. In honor of those affected by sexual assault, here's a brief history of SAAM, ways to get involved in the...

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Struggle for Accountability in Cases of Sexual Assault – Michigan AG Closes Nassar/MSU Investigation

accountability in sexual assault cases

On the eve of the 2021 Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Michigan Attorney General, Dana Nessel, announced her office was forced to close its investigation into the MSU and Larry Nassar scandal that rocked the Michigan State University campus and nation. Accountability in cases of sexual assault is crucial to survivors, and this development further highlights the need for real institutional change in instances of organizations failing to protect their patrons, students, and patients....

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Address Confidentiality Program Legislation Passed to Protect Victims

home with white fence and blooming tree

Legislation for an Address Confidentiality Program was recently signed into Michigan law by Governor Whitmer after passing in the state House and Senate to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. This legislation plan allows for victims to obtain alternate identification (ID) numbers and a substitute address on official documents to keep their actual physical address confidential. Thirty-seven other states have similar programs in effect, and we are glad to see Michigan join in on providing these additional layers of protection for victims and their families. However, we also recognize a few shortcomings of this legislation...

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Dr. Robert Anderson and the University of Michigan Sexual Abuse Investigation

University of Michigan Big House aerial photo black and white

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]In early 2019, the media broke a story we hoped to never hear again. Another Michigan university was under investigation for alleged claims of sexual abuse. This time, much the same as the tragic case at Michigan State University, the victims were former college students and athletes. Over the past several months, we have learned about the ongoing University of Michigan sexual abuse investigation regarding former sports doctor, Dr. Robert Anderson. Having represented numerous Sister Survivors in the Larry Nassar case at MSU, as well as having played a role in obtaining the historical $500 million global settlement on...

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“Empowering Survivors Bills” Seek to Expand Sexual Abuse Survivors Rights

hand signing paperwork

Legislation introduced in Lansing on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, proposes to expand the legal rights of survivors of campus sexual abuse, including those claiming abuse by the late University of Michigan physician Robert Anderson. These bipartisan bills - also known as the Empowering Survivors Bills - seek to dismantle the strict immunity protections universities currently have, as well as expand the time for filing claims regarding sexual assault on campuses. Attorney Jim Graves, who represented survivors of the Nassar scandal at MSU and is currently involved in the Anderson/University of Michigan case, provided further insight into this recent development. To understand...

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