WASHINGTON: As per an investigation report, An Ohio State University team doctor sexually abused at least 177 male students over approximately 20 years and was never penalized at the US school even though there were reports of his actions, an inquiry found on Friday.
Richard Strauss, who died in 2005, committed the abuse while employed at the school from 1978 to 1998, and university staffs were made aware of claims as early as 1979, according to a 12-month independent probe.
The probe checked over the misconduct allegations from 1979 to 1997 detailed by former students- 150 of whom reported first-hand accounts of sexual abuse executed by Strauss. In totality, more than 440 former students and university staff were convinced of having information related to allegations involving Strauss were interrogated for the investigation.
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The victims inculcated school athletes as well as other students who saw Strauss at the university health centre and at an off-campus private medical office.
University President Michael Drake said that an independent investigation was launched into the allegations after they were brought to the university's attention last year. “The findings are shocking and painful to comprehend. On behalf of the university, we offer our profound regret and sincere apologies to each person who endured Strauss's abuse,” said Drake.
He also said, “Our institution's fundamental failure at the time to prevent this abuse was unacceptable, as were the inadequate efforts to thoroughly investigate complaints raised by students and staff members.”
Drake said,” My school has implemented safeguards since Strauss's departure, including a sexual violence consultation team, a centralized anonymous hotline, mandatory reporting of sexual assault for all university employees and mandatory sexual prevention education for incoming students, faculty and staff. Issues of sexual misconduct and abuse challenge our society in real and important ways. It is our collective responsibility to remain ever-vigilant and work to ensure that this can never happen again."