About 60 men who say they were sexually abused by a former Ohio State University sports physician have issued some specific demands to the school. Mike Foley reports.
The survivors and their attorneys say although last week’s report on Doctor Richard Strauss found that he abused 177 male students over 20 years, they say there’s likely more victims. The group wants Ohio State to reveal the total number of students Strauss examined during his tenure, which began in 1978 and ended in 1998. Strauss killed himself in 2005. The survivors want the school to release the names of all coaches, assistants, trainers, and any other employees and administrators who knew about Strauss’ conduct but failed to stop or report it. The group of about 60 men also calls for the university to release details on the other places where Strauss worked and saw patients. The men also want to know how Ohio State will provide justice to the survivors and what reforms will help prevent abuse from happening again. Ohio State officials say numerous safeguards have been implemented with the most recent being last year’s creation of the Office of Institutional Equity, which focuses on preventing all forms of discrimination and harassment. OSU President Michael Drake has said the university continues to advocate for permission to release the redacted portions of the Strauss report. The first mediation session involving the university and the survivors who’ve come forward takes place June 15.
