OCTOBER 1 • 2020 | 27
assaults were taking place
and didn’
t do anything to
prevent them, then they
don’
t get immunity and
they’
re liable,” he said.
Victims of Larry Nassar
had pushed for legislation
that would’
ve ended any
governmental immunity as
it relates to sexual abuse,
immunity of which MSU
has used as a legal shield for
many years, but dropped as
part of a $500 million set-
tlement.
A companion statute of
limitations bill announced
Sept. 22 would amend the
three-year statute of limita-
tions law related to sexual
abuse under the guise of
medical treatment, opening
up a one-year window for
victims of abuse to come
forward and file suit, no
matter how long ago it
occurred.
“Our law still isn’
t in
the best position to allow
these survivors to seek the
justice they believe they
deserve, and I believe they
deserve,” Berman said. “We
shouldn’
t use our laws the
way they are. We need to
make a change to empow-
er (the survivors) to seek
justice and not have justice
denied.”
More than 100 lawsuits
have been filed against
U-M in connection with
Anderson’
s alleged sexual
abuse. He served as director
of University Health Service
from 1968-80, and then
served as the team physi-
cian for the U-M Athletic
Department until 2003. He
died in 2008, but it wasn’
t
until 2020 that the first
accusation against him was
made public.
Berman believes the
strength it takes for sur-
vivors to come forward
shouldn’
t be taken lightly.
“Having that courage in
the face of stigma, I think
that’
s what brought about
these bills, we owe it to
them to help in any way we
can,” he said. “It’
s kind of
like the Me Too movement,
it’
s ‘
hey, you’
re not alone,’
and all of a sudden more
people are coming out and
it gets bigger and bigger.”
In a statement, U-M
Spokesperson Rick
Fitzgerald told the JN that
the university is currently
engaged in mediation with
representatives from several
former patients while its
own independent investi-
gation of the abuse remains
active. He did not address
the proposed new bill.
“The university is eager to
engage with former patients
and their attorneys regard-
ing the best approach to
resolving these claims,” the
statement reads. “We want
to bring closure for those
who have so bravely come
forward to share their expe-
riences and want to develop
a fair resolution process that
does not require drawn-out
litigation.”
According to Berman,
the bills would not only
help individuals suing the
University of Michigan, but
also any individual sexually
abused under the guise of
medical treatment.
“What these bills do is
hold any agency account-
able, not just U-M, for their
actions or inactions,” he said.
“I think it sends a strong
message moving forward.”
After the bills were intro-
duced last week, they were
referred to the Judiciary
Committee, which Rep.
Berman is a member of.
Berman has been in contact
with the committee’
s chair-
man, Rep. Graham Filler
(R-Clinton County), trying
to lock in a hearing date
for the bills, and is hoping
a date is set sooner rather
than later.
Beautiful 3,200 sq ft colonial on almost an acre. 3-Car garage and updated mechanicals. Plenty
of space for working and schooling from home. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout the open
entry level. Enormous family rm. Secluded rear yard. Updated, light-filled granite kitchen. Master
with WIC, large bath with tub & shower. Whole house generator. Ramps at front entrance and
garage plus entry level bedroom (office) with roll-in shower. $599,900
Elisa Sophia Sboukis | esboukis@cbwm.com | 248.709.0066
900 W. University Dr., Rochester MI 48307
WEIR MANUEL
Fabulous
Frankli
n
© 2020 Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of
the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
Let Old Friends be your
Michigan-Florida Connection
Keyes Real Estate
Estate Property Sales from
Listing to Clean-Out!
BUY
•
SELL
•
I
NVEST
Throughout South Florida, Including Boca, Boynton,
Delray, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties
Nina Spinner-Sands
NinaSpinner-Sands@keyes.com
(954) 290-8293
Rita Morse
RitaMorse@keyes.com
(305) 609-7559
MEL DRYMAN
Raised in Detroit, Experienced in Arizona
Your Professional
& Dedicated
ARIZONA REALTOR
Mobile: (480) 239-8686
mel.dryman@azmoves.com
Each Office Independently Owned & Operated
Desiree Cataldo-Cialone
Realtor
25050
Ford
Road
Dearborn
Hei
ghts,
MI
48127
Cel
l
:
313-549-
7333
Offi
ce:
313-277-
7777
F:
313-277-6600
desi
reereo@gmai
l
.
com
RE/MAX
LEADI
NG
EDGE
One Smart, Hardworking Woman
25+ Years Experience