Sex abuse survivor bills that extend the statute of limitations are gaining momentum in Lansing

Efforts are underway to pass a legislative package empowering survivors of sexual abuse and extending the statute of limitations

That day, the Wayne County Commission unanimously passed a resolution in support of Lansing’s bills aimed at protecting victims of sexual abuse and assault.

FOX 2 – Empowering Survivors – that is the name and goal of a legislative package that is still awaiting passage through the state legislature.

“Victims get a chance – survivors get a chance – to make their voices heard,” said State Rep. Karen Whitsett.

The horrific abuse by Michigan State University’s Larry Nassar and the University of Michigan’s Robert Anderson has prompted lawmakers to seek to extend the statute of limitations for victims of physician abuse.

Instead of three years, survivors would have another year to take legal action.

“People would say, what’s the big deal, why are you bothering to do that, it should take years — well, we’ve got to start somewhere,” Whitsett said.

The legislation also seeks to curb immunity and blame institutions for abuse. It was introduced by Republican State Representative Ryan Berman (39th District) and Whitsett, a Democrat from the 9th District. For them it is personal.

“I was raped, and it was by a doctor,” she said. “I didn’t tell anyone. I didn’t tell anyone – I was ashamed.”

And traumatized. Changing the law would allow survivors much longer to pursue legal action.

“Research has shown that many victims of sexual assault and rape do not report the incident until many, many years later,” said Melissa Daub, a Wayne County (10th Circuit) commissioner. “So we need laws to extend the statute of limitations.”

That day, the Wayne County Commission unanimously passed a resolution in support of Lansing’s bills aimed at protecting victims of sexual abuse and assault.

“We need to make sure the state legislature does its part,” said Alisha Bell, chair of the Wayne County Commission. “We push them – we support them. Hopefully we get other counties and communities across the state to urge and support them as well.”

The bills have some bipartisan support in Lansing and could soon be discussed again there.

“We had a lot of momentum behind it, people understand the importance on both sides of the aisle,” Whitsett said. “And I’m confident we’ll get through this.”

It’s an issue that affects so many. Statistics show that one in six American women and one in 33 American men will be a victim of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime.

“You can survive this and you will have the support there that you need to move forward,” Whitsett said. “And… that the person who did this to you will be brought to justice.”