Victims, attorneys respond to release of Perkins Coie report

COLUMBUS, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A year-long investigation into allegations that Ohio State doctor
Richard Strauss sexually abused students confirms that 177 male
students, primarily student-athletes, were assaulted over a nearly
20-year period.

The findings by investigators from Seattle-based Perkins Coie are
included in a report released today. The report also confirms that
University officials had “knowledge of Strauss’ sexually abusive
treatment as early as 1979.”

The report says complaints about Strauss’ conduct were not elevated
beyond the OSU Athletic Department or Student Health services until 1996.

“The fact that key OSU personnel received valid complaints about sexual
abuse by Dr. Strauss over several decades and chose not to respond in an
appropriate manner or take any type of corrective action is very
disappointing,” victim Roger Beedon said. “Hopefully, former OSU
athletes like me can now begin to recover from being sexually abused.”

Beedon played hockey at Ohio State in the late 1980s and is a plaintiff
in a class action lawsuit against the university that was filed last
summer.

OSU has attempted to have the class action lawsuit dismissed because the
statute of limitations for reporting Strauss’ abuse expired years ago.

That’s why Rep. Brett Hillyer introduced legislation May 16 to extend
Ohio’s statute of limitations.

“OSU should put its full weight behind Rep. Hillyer’s bill so that
survivors can seek redress,” attorney Rex Sharp said. “That would show
OSU intends to clean up its own mess and will not leave that costly
burden on the survivors or the taxpaying public.”

Victim Brian Garrett agrees.

“OSU is a unique state institution that has its own financial assets, so
it can pay for the harm caused to sexual abuse victim,” Garrett said.

OSU President Michael Drake said Friday that the university’s
“fundamental failure” to prevent and investigate the abuse was
“unacceptable.”

Victim Kent Kilgore, who was a swimmer in the early 1980s, also weighed
in on the report.

“I want my university to take full responsibility for the harm caused to
me and my fellow alumni,” Kilgore said. “Dreams were broken,
relationships with loved ones were damaged and the harm now carries over
to our children as many of us have become so overprotective that it
strains the relationship with our kids.”

The Perkins Coie report underscored Kilgore’s concerns.

“Most Strauss victims were hesitant to come forward, but many explained
their own children are college-aged and they wanted to ensure this
didn’t happen at OSU or anywhere again,” the report said.

The report concluded that with “rare” exceptions the victims’ accounts
were credible and their descriptions of Strauss’ behavior were
“remarkably similar.”

The law firms continue their investigation into OSU’s role, and urge
victims and witnesses to call (800) 474-5201.

Contacts

Ed Vasquez at 408-420-6558
[email protected]