Sexual assault survivors in Michigan appealed to legislators on Wednesday to prioritize their needs before skipping work. Republican lawmakers and Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) boycotted the session in protest of unaddressed issues like tipped wages and paid sick leave, preventing the House from meeting quorum and jeopardizing the Justice for Survivors bill package.
The Justice for Survivors bill seeks to extend the statute of limitations for survivors to sue perpetrators and remove governmental immunity for institutions failing to act on known abuse. Survivors argue that delaying action on this bill for a fourth session would further harm victims seeking justice.
Former University of Michigan wrestler Tad DeLuca, who exposed over 1,000 cases of abuse by a university doctor, stated that serial abuse would continue unless lawmakers pass meaningful reform. He emphasized that lawmakers who skipped the session were enabling abuse and failing survivors.
The package of bills passed in the Senate last week with bipartisan support but now faces uncertain prospects due to the House’s attendance issues. If passed, it would allow survivors more time to seek justice and enable retroactive lawsuits for those affected by past abuse.
Advocates like Grace French, president of Army of Survivors, stressed that the bills acknowledge the long-term trauma of abuse. They believe the legislation would create a safer environment for survivors, allowing them to seek justice without fear, regardless of when they disclose their abuse.
