Survivors of sexual assault push lawmakers to pass 'Justice for Survivors' legislation in Lansing
The push for 'Justice for Survivors' legislation
This is not a new fight, in fact it’s been going on for years. Sexual assault survivors have been pushing for reform at the state level, especially on extending the statute of limitations on how long they can qualify for legal redress after a sexual assault.
LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) - Survivors of sexual assault are demanding justice, pushing lawmakers to reform how long they have to seek legal action. At the center of this fight is a call to extend the statute of limitations and hold institutions accountable when they fail to protect victims.
This is not a new fight, in fact it’s been going on for years. Sexual assault survivors have been pushing for reform at the state level, especially on extending the statute of limitations on how long they can qualify for legal redress after a sexual assault.
"There are well over 1,000 others just like me, it has taken a lifetime to get to this point," said former U of M wrestler Tad DeLuca.
His letter about being sexually assaulted by a former school doctor helped to bring to light the terrible crimes of the late Dr. Robert E. Anderson.
"As so many of us work to achieve acknowledgment of the sexual assaults perpetrated by University of Michigan employee Dr, Robert Anderson, we ran into roadblocks at every step," said Former U of M Wrestler Airron Richardson. "Tad was ignored for months."
On Wednesday at the state capitol, dozens of sexual assault survivors and their family members showed up at the state Capitol Building to encourage the House to pass the "Justice for Survivors" package before the end of the lame duck session.
"I know first hand the lifelong trauma caused by abuse and how systems to often fail to protect those they’re supposed to protect," said Grace French with the Army of Survivors.
The bill package would extend the statute of limitations for survivors and eliminate the statute of limitations if criminal charges are filed. Along with doing away with governmental immunity for schools and universities if they had knowledge of prior assaults and failed to protect others against subsequent victimization.
"Without the support of my fellow survivors, I am not sure I would have made it to our eventual settlement," said Richardson.