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Ohio State revokes doc’s status, plans sex abuse task force

May 31, 2019 GMT
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FILE – This undated file photo shows a photo of Dr. Richard Strauss, an Ohio State University team doctor employed by the school from 1978 until his 1998 retirement. More Ohio State alumni are suing the university over how school officials dealt with a team doctor recently found to have sexually abused at least 177 young men over two decades. (Ohio State University via AP, File)
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FILE – This undated file photo shows a photo of Dr. Richard Strauss, an Ohio State University team doctor employed by the school from 1978 until his 1998 retirement. More Ohio State alumni are suing the university over how school officials dealt with a team doctor recently found to have sexually abused at least 177 young men over two decades. (Ohio State University via AP, File)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State University trustees have posthumously revoked the emeritus status of a team doctor found to have sexually abused young men during his two decades there.

The decision Friday regarding Richard Strauss is a symbolic rebuke, stripping only the honorary label — something the university says it has never previously done.

A law firm investigating allegations recently concluded Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male students between 1979 and 1997, and that university officials heard concerns but did little to stop him.

President Michael Drake announced Friday that Ohio State is creating a task force to use the findings to help address sexual abuse and prevention on college campuses. Drake says the panel will include abuse survivors and experts.

Strauss retired in 1998 and killed himself in 2005. No one has publicly defended him.

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