Date: July 9, 2023
Subject: July 24, 2023, An opportunity for justice in the Norman Nation - Hank Friedman and the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) in Santa Monica Superior Court; Judge H. Jay Ford III presiding in a Civil trial on adult sex misconduct (ASM) - pursuant to AB 218 that extended the statute of limitations for child sex assault 1-1-2020 to 12-31-2023
Dear Norman Nation, Friends, and Supporters:
Our petition, published March 4, 2022, recognizes that justice requires public accountability so SURVIVORS may heal, and adequate measures may be instituted to prevent such harm to BHHS students in the future.
To that end, at the upcoming civil trial, which begins on July 24,2023 at 9:00 am, we hope to see some, if not all, of the following occur:
1. Friedman should admit wrongdoing and issue an apology both to his SURVIVORS and the entire Norman Nation because a no contest plea to a prior criminal indictment does not include an explicit acknowledgement of illegal and unacceptable behavior.
2. BHUSD should do right by all SURVIVORS of Hank Friedman's wrongdoing.
3. BHUSD should provide the petition sponsor committee, and Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct and Exploitation, Inc. (SESAME) consultants, with documentation of the current BHHS policies on campus ASM (especially in regard to initial reporting procedures).
4. BHUSD should provide an update on the May 2022 ASM incident and what protections have been added to ensure that such ASM will not happen in the future.
One survivor recently told us "Friedman ruined my life". While it has been many decades since these ASM incidents, many others may have similar feelings of despair. Yet support from those with empathy, especially classmates, alumni, and friends, can play a critical role in assisting survivors to overcome trauma and recover fully. Those who wish to help still have time to join over 1000 supporters in this worthwhile goal by signing the Petition in support of innocent survivors of ASM.
"The time is always right to do what is right.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sincerely,
Michael Suter & Michael Higginbotham, BHHS 1975, Horace Mann, 1971