The University of Michigan released a statement on Wednesday asking for any former patients of an athletic doctor at the school who believe they were sexually abused to contact the university.
The request follows a University of Michigan Police investigation beginning in July 2018 after a former student accused Dr. Robert E. Anderson of abusing him during medical exams in the early 1970s. Anderson was a former athletic team physician who worked at the university from 1968 until his retirement in 2003. He died in 2008.
Detectives involved in the investigation interviewed dozens of people and found several incidents of sexual misconduct by Anderson, including unnecessary medical exams. Although most of the exams took place in the 1970s, there was at least one incident reported to have taken place in the 1990s.
“The allegations that were reported are disturbing and very serious,” said University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel in a statement. “We promptly began a police investigation and cooperated fully with the prosecutor’s office.
The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office determined on February 18 that no criminal charges would be filed, a decision made after a review of the investigation completed by the University of Michigan Police.
“As part of our commitment to understanding what happened and inform any changes we might need to make, we now are taking the next step to reach out to determine who else might be affected or have additional information to share,” Schlissel said. “Every person in our community should expect to feel safe and supported.”
The university said it would help former patients of Anderson’s to connect with counseling resources, as well as examine new information and keep the public informed “in a manner that respects the privacy and confidentiality of the former patients.”
Former patients who experience sexual misconduct are encouraged to call the university’s Compliance Hotline at 866-990-0111 or email [email protected].
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
Photo “University of Michigan Sign” by Ken Lund. CC BY-SA 2.0.
