Aerial Banner Uniting U of M and OSU Survivors

With your support, a banner reading—HAIL TO THE VICTIMS & SURVIVORS OF OSU UNITED—will fly in seven-foot letters over the University of Michigan stadium before the OSU/UM football game on Saturday, November 25, 2023, from 8 to 11am. The salute recognizes the survivors of sexual assault on the Ohio State University and University of Michigan campuses. Our dream is that this flight is sponsored by a coalition of survivors of alleged sexual misconduct by OSU athletic physician Dr. Richard Strauss, former U. of M. athletic doctor Robert Anderson, and U. of M. Lecturer Bruce Conforth, as well as all allies of survivors.

Two years ago, the OSU survivors joined Jon Vaughn and the Michigan Survivors to protest the Michigan OSU game. It was a powerful and eye-opening experience. We were challenged by the T.V. channels trying to get our banners out of their coverage, and by a few students who had too much to drink. The bonds made with all of the survivors has proven to be a major piece of the healing process. With many university boards attempting to dismiss sexual abuse and cover it up, we seek to expose sex crimes and change the system to make our universities better and safer places for students and future generations.

The November 25th banner will fly on the cusp of a Michigan legislative vote on the six-bill package, House Bills 4482 and 4483, that would revise the statute of limitations for filing a sexual assault civil action in court, from age 28 to 52. 52 is the average age a sexual assault victim discloses their abuse. The bills would also strike out immunity from civil cases for public universities, colleges, or school districts and their employees if the schools had knowledge about a case involving criminal sexual conduct. We hope that the banner and the press release will bring attention to this pending legislation.

We appreciate your support of this flight!

For more information, please go to:

Hail to the Victims documentary — https://www.lightmakerfilms.com/httv2

Survivors of OSU — https://survivorsofosu.com/

Michigan Legislative Bills — information