Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 600 / Act 236 of 1961
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2157a (2026)

Definitions; consultation between victim and sexual assault or domestic violence counselor; admissibility.

✓ current as of July 2026
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REVISED JUDICATURE ACT OF 1961


Act 236 of 1961


600.2157a Definitions; consultation between victim and sexual assault or domestic violence counselor; admissibility.

Sec. 2157a.

    (1) For purposes of this section:

    (a) "Confidential communication" means information transmitted between a victim and a sexual assault or domestic violence counselor, or between a victim or sexual assault or domestic violence counselor and any other person to whom disclosure is reasonably necessary to further the interests of the victim, in connection with the rendering of advice, counseling, or other assistance by the sexual assault or domestic violence counselor to the victim.

    (b) "Domestic violence" means that term as defined in section 1501 of Act No. 389 of the Public Acts of 1978, being section 400.1501 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

    (c) "Sexual assault" means assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct.

    (d) "Sexual assault or domestic violence counselor" means a person who is employed at or who volunteers service at a sexual assault or domestic violence crisis center, and who in that capacity provides advice, counseling, or other assistance to victims of sexual assault or domestic violence and their families.

    (e) "Sexual assault or domestic violence crisis center" means an office, institution, agency, or center which offers assistance to victims of sexual assault or domestic violence and their families through crisis intervention and counseling.

    (f) "Victim" means a person who was or who alleges to have been the subject of a sexual assault or of domestic violence.

    (2) Except as provided by section 11 of the child protection law, Act No. 238 of the Public Acts of 1975, being section 722.631 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, a confidential communication, or any report, working paper, or statement contained in a report or working paper, given or made in connection with a consultation between a victim and a sexual assault or domestic violence counselor, shall not be admissible as evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding without the prior written consent of the victim.

History: Add. 1984, Act 340, Eff. Mar. 29, 1985

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases, 1994–2019 · leading case: People v. Stanaway, 521 N.W.2d 557 (Mich. 1994).
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People v. Stanaway, 521 N.W.2d 557 (Mich. 1994). · cites it 12× “] The only exception recognized in MCL 600.2157a; MSA 27A.2157(1) is the mandatory disclosure provisions of the Child Protection Act, MCL 722.”
People of Michigan v. Christopher David Cowles (Mich. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “MCL 600.2157a(2) provides: (2) [A] confidential communication, or any report, working paper, or statement contained in a report or working paper, given or made in connection with a consultation between a victim and a sexual assault or domestic violence counselor, shall not be…”
People of Michigan v. Christopher David Cowles (Mich. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “MCL 600.2157a(2) provides: (2) [A] confidential communication, or any report, working paper, or statement contained in a report or working paper, given or made in connection with a consultation between a victim and a sexual assault or domestic violence counselor, shall not be…”
People of Michigan v. Dontavious Anthony Bell (Mich. Ct. App. 2019). “The Court made this statement in reference to MCL 600.2157a, which extended privilege to communications between a victim and a sexual assault or domestic assault counselor.”
Stanley G Denhof v. Charles B Covello (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “, MCL 600.2157a, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), 42 USC 1320d et seq.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2157a(2) — 3 cases
People v. Stanaway, 521 N.W.2d 557 (Mich. 1994). “] The only exception recognized in MCL 600.2157a; MSA 27A.2157(1) is the mandatory disclosure provisions of the Child Protection Act, MCL 722.”
People of Michigan v. Christopher David Cowles (Mich. Ct. App. 2018). “MCL 600.2157a(2) provides: (2) [A] confidential communication, or any report, working paper, or statement contained in a report or working paper, given or made in connection with a consultation between a victim and a sexual assault or domestic violence counselor, shall not be…”
People of Michigan v. Christopher David Cowles (Mich. Ct. App. 2018). “MCL 600.2157a(2) provides: (2) [A] confidential communication, or any report, working paper, or statement contained in a report or working paper, given or made in connection with a consultation between a victim and a sexual assault or domestic violence counselor, shall not be…”
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