A new investigative report finds that Dr. Richard Strauss, a now-deceased Ohio State University team doctor from 1978 to 1998, sexually abused "at least" 177 students during his tenure.
"The findings are shocking and painful to comprehend," university president Michael V. Drake said in a statement Friday announcing the findings of the independent investigation, initially announced in April 2018. "On behalf of the university, we offer our profound regret and sincere apologies to each person who endured Strauss’ abuse. 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."
The Perkins Coie-led report shows that Strauss sexually abused male students, with university staff as far back as 1979 having found to be knowledgeable of ensuing complaints. The students were athletes across multiple university sports.
Additionally, Strauss was found to have abused student athletes at the campus health center and at his own off-campus site. Among his methods of abuse were fake medical studies, during which he would deceive students into "intimate situations." One victim cited in the report, a 14-year-old high school wrestler at the time, said Strauss abused other minors while working with area high schools.
Per the Associated Press, Strauss—whose abuse is at the center of multiple lawsuits against the university—died by suicide in 2005. The university's full report, which contains graphic details of the abuse, has been made public.
