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