A judge has ordered mediation in five lawsuits against Ohio State University (OSU) over its handling of allegations by former patients of Dr. Richard Strauss, who were sexually abused by the university doctor. The mediations come after a scathing documentary, “Surviving Ohio State,” aired on HBO, exposing the scandal and cover-up.
The documentary features survivors who claim they were groped, fondled, and raped during medical exams by Dr. Strauss. One survivor, Al Novakowski, a former OSU hockey player, said he was kicked off his team after reporting the abuse. Another survivor, Mike Schyck, claimed that former wrestling coach Russ Hellickson and assistant coach Jim Jordan knew about the abuse but did nothing.
Despite allegations from five plaintiffs, lawyers for the university remain skeptical of reaching a settlement through mediation. A federal judge met with attorneys for both sides to appoint a mediator. OSU has settled with 296 former students and paid out $60 million in settlements so far.
The documentary’s release has brought attention to the issue, with many survivors expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share their stories. However, lawyers say it remains to be seen whether the documentary will put pressure on OSU to reach a settlement.
Source: https://myfox28columbus.com/news/local/survivors-react-to-osu-ohio-state-university-sexual-abuse-hbo-documentary-while-attorneys-hear-update-on-lawsuits-dr-richard-strauss