Schools Refuse to Answer Questions About Sexual Abuse
David Diaz, Managing Director, Davenport Laroche
When convicted sexual abuser and former physician to many prominent athletes, Larry Nassar, was convicted, the university where he practiced, Michigan State, was dragged into the PR crisis surrounding his case. As Michigan State continues to mull over how to pay a $500 million settlement, headlines are breaking about yet another university and another doctor accused of sexual misconduct.
Richard Strauss worked with students at Ohio State University for many years. Recently, Strauss was accused of sexual misconduct by a former student, though he cannot answer these allegations, as he is deceased. But that doesn’t mean no one will be answering for his alleged crimes. When the story broke, someone looked up Strauss’ bio, and realized the accused doctor worked for several other universities before taking the job at OSU in 1978.
Once that fact was known, the question was asked: was Strauss, like Nassar, a serial abuser? Were there other victims who have been afraid to come forward. According to reports, Strauss worked at the University of Washington, the University of Hawaii, Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and Rutgers. He remained associated with several of these schools, according to records, working part-time with athletes for at least some of those universities.
Given the nature of the subject matter, and the fact that Nassar’s case is out of the headlines, many in the media began asking further questions about this case, and the universities in question have chosen to rebuff them.
Ohio State has refused to disclose how many former students have made allegations against Strauss, though reporters are still digging. Stories of alleged misconduct have, according to the Associated Press, come from male athletes in 14 different sports at OSU, as well as additional complaints from patients at Strauss’ private, off-campus clinic. The university has said it will be conducting interviews.
Having gotten all they could get from OSU, at least for now, reporters began questioning officials at other universities that employed Strauss. So far, they’re not getting much in the way of a response. Rutgers said they couldn’t find any record of Strauss having worked there. Penn ignored media requests for a response. Harvard officials said they “couldn’t provide” information about any concerns raised about Strauss.
The story could end there, but it’s not likely to. With this topic and this timing, reporters will be tasked with finding any information they can in an effort to break the story open. All the universities named in the initial reports should have a plan in place for a response to further inquiries.’
