News Summary
Michigan State University has established a collaborative advisory board to improve its response to sexual violence, especially following the Larry Nassar case. This initiative emphasizes engagement with survivors, featuring voices from the community, including Rachael Denhollander. The board aims to assess institutional policies and recommend actions to foster accountability and safety on campus, marking a pivotal shift in MSU’s approach to addressing sexual violence and honoring survivor experiences.
East Lansing, Michigan — Michigan State University (MSU) has announced the formation of a new collaborative advisory board aimed at improving the university’s response to sexual violence, particularly in light of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. This initiative highlights a significant shift in the university’s approach to engagement with survivors, with the board set to include prominent voices from the survivor community, such as Rachael Denhollander, along with other survivors Sterling Riethman and Trinea Gonczar.
The advisory board’s primary objective is to guide an institutional assessment regarding policies, culture, and structures related to sexual violence at MSU. This comes after years of criticism regarding the university’s previous handling of the Nassar case, which primarily focused on legal settlements and public relations efforts rather than genuine engagement with survivors.
MSU’s former approach attracted significant backlash, as the university did not have representatives present at the initial sentencing hearings for Larry Nassar in 2018, where over 150 survivors delivered impactful testimony detailing their trauma and strength. The absence of institutional representation at this critical moment underscored a perceived indifference from MSU regarding the experiences of survivors.
In the wake of these events, new MSU president Kevin Guskiewicz has actively sought to change this narrative. Building on the earlier suggestions from Denhollander and other survivors in 2018 for enhanced engagement, Guskiewicz emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes while striving for continuous improvement in institutional responses to sexual violence.
The advisory board will not conduct investigations but will focus on assessing the current policies and practices related to sexual assault and recommending appropriate actions to improve the safety and well-being of students and the broader community. This body aims to create a more responsive environment and promote accountability within the university.
Judge Rosemarie E. Aquilina, who oversaw Nassar’s sentencing, invited victims to share their stories, which resulted in emotional and powerful testimonies. Many survivors expressed the profound and lasting impact of Nassar’s abuse on their lives. The testimonies served as a sobering reminder of the importance of engaging with survivors in a meaningful way and ensuring their voices shape institutional policies moving forward.
Denhollander has signaled that this new collaboration represents a significant shift in MSU’s relationship with sexual assault survivors. She asserts that while the university’s previous actions during the Nassar crisis have been rightly criticized, it is critical to acknowledge that it is never too late for institutions to take the right steps towards accountability and proactive engagement with those affected by sexual violence.
The proposed collaborative advisory board is anticipated to have a pivotal role in reshaping how MSU approaches sexual violence, by fostering a culture of safety and responsiveness. Its effectiveness will depend on the board’s ability to freely assess institutional practices and recommend changes based on survivor input.
In summary, the establishment of this new advisory board marks a significant turning point for Michigan State University, signifying an earnest commitment to honoring the voices of survivors while working towards a safer, more inclusive campus environment. This initiative aims to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated, and that the university takes substantive steps towards building a supportive community for all its members.
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Additional Resources
- The State News: East Lansing Police Investigate Sexual Assault
- Google Search: Michigan State University sexual violence
- The State News: Student Sues MSU Over Alleged Sexual Assault
- Wikipedia: Sexual Violence
- Lansing State Journal: East Lansing Psychologist Charged
- Google News: East Lansing psychologist charged with sexual assault
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