ADVOCACY GROUP LAUNCHES IN WAKE OF REPORT DETAILING WORST SEXUAL ABUSE IN BIG 10 COLLEGE SPORTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 12, 2021

ADVOCACY GROUP SPOTLIGHT MICHIGAN LAUNCHES IN WAKE OF REPORT DETAILING DECADES OF HEINOUS SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST ATHLETES AND STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

New report details a "prolonged pattern of sexual misconduct" by top physician Dr. Robert E. Anderson and the concerted cover-up by university officials

ANN ARBOR - Today Spotlight Michigan announces the formation of an education and advocacy group to support and seek justice for the hundreds of victims subjected to decades of sexual abuse at the hands of top university physician Dr. Robert. E Anderson. The group will seek to hold University of Michigan officials accountable to prevent this type of abuse from ever happening again. The University of Michigan now sits atop the Big 10 when it comes to the sheer number of students and athletes subjected to sexual abuse and rape by a university official, a number believed to be upwards of 850 students and athletes victimized by a school official.

While the damning report released by WilmerHale outlines the vast scope of Anderson's abuse over his 37-year tenure, it comes up short in adequately exposing the cover-up and denial of his actions by top university officials, including former UM Associate Vice President for Student Services Thomas Easthope.

The report concludes:

"Whether or not others should have taken note of the rumors and innuendo surrounding Dr. Anderson in his first dozen years at the University or in the years thereafter, there is no reasonable explanation for Thomas Easthope’s failure to do so based on the information conveyed to him between 1978 or 1979 and 1981."

Because of the repeated refusal by the university to protect these vulnerable students and athletes, Spotlight Michigan is committed to exposing these crimes and providing a voice to the community of victims, families, friends, and University of Michigan alumni that demand accountability from the university for its failure to put students before predators. It is also imperative that protocols and procedures be updated and improved to ensure such systemic failures that allowed for both the abuse and the cover-up never happen again.

In response to WilmerHale's findings, Spotlight Michigan spokesperson Autria Lindsay released the following statement:

“What happened to these collegiate athletes and students is heartbreaking and horrific. But what makes it even more infuriating is knowing that not only did University officials know about the allegations of sexual abuse, they ignored them and continued to promote and protect a predator. It’s disgusting to think of how many hundreds of victims might have been spared from this nightmare had leadership done the right thing and fired Dr. Anderson after allegation number 1. It’s time for those in positions of power to bring justice to these victims."

For 37 years, Dr. Robert E. Anderson served as a prominent figure at the University of Michigan in various positions of authority including Director of University Health Service, and team physician for the Athletic Department which included the Football and Wrestling teams. Despite official sexual misconduct complaints dating back as far as 1975, University leadership continued to employ, promote, and protect Anderson – reassigning him numerous times to new roles where he would continue to abuse more Wolverine athletes and students. For decades, University of Michigan leaders betrayed the trust of the very students they were charged to protect. It’s time to hold University of Michigan officials accountable to ensure future Wolverines aren’t subjected to the same abuse.

For decades, University of Michigan leaders betrayed the trust of the very students they were charged to protect.

It's time to spotlight these crimes.

To learn more about Spotlight Michigan visit our website at www.spotlightmichigan.com