Beginning Friday, victims of a former Michigan State University doctor convicted of sexually assaulting young gymnasts can begin accessing help through a fund set up by the university.
MSU has selected Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation Inc. (CMCI) and the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA) to help the victims of former MSU physician Larry Nassar to get counseling and mental health services.
According to the university, CMCI is a Boston-based mediation and arbitration firm with more than two decades of experience handling complex, multi-party cases. MNCASA provides resources for sexual assault prevention programs while promoting a comprehensive, socially just response for all survivors.
The school’s Board of Trustees set up the $10 million MSU Healing Assistance Fund to assist Nassar’s victims and their parents. Through the fund, Nassar’s victims will be able to receive reimbursement for their expenses related to counseling and mental health services from a provider of their choice.
“We established this fund to express our concern for and commitment to these brave young women,” said MSU Board of Trustees Chairperson Brian Breslin. “We are deeply saddened by the stories of abuse and grateful for the courage the victims showed in coming forward.”
Dozens of Nassar’s former patients have filed complaints against him.
Many will appear at a sentencing hearing next week. Prosecutors are asking a judge to sentence the former MSU doctor to up to 125 years in prison.
