Former OSU wrestling team doctor Richard Strauss, now dead, is suspected of assaulting thousands of students and student athletes.
[CW: This stream includes stories that detail accusations of sexual abuse]
In August, 2005 Dr. Richard Strauss took his own life. He was 67. Since then Strauss’ name has become synonymous with a sex abuse scandal at the Ohio State University (OSU).
Strauss worked at OSU between 1978 and 1998. He was a team doctor for a number of OSU’s athletic programs, including wrestling. He also worked at am off-campus Student Health Center.
Strauss is accused of abusing over a thousand people, many of whom were student athletes, during his time at OSU. A handful of former OSU wrestlers are among those who said they were abused by Strauss.
At this time of writing investigations are ongoing to uncover how much administrators at the university knew about Strauss and the accusations against him during his tenure at the university. Within this scandal is also the question of how much a certain wrestling coach knew about the abuse claims.
U.S Representative Jim Jordan, a Republican representing Ohio’s 4th congressional district, is a former Division I wrestler and assistant coach at OSU (1987-1995). At least three former wrestlers, and a referee, have accused Jordan of knowing about the abuse accusations during his time at OSU and failing to take any kind of action against them. Jordan has denied these claims.
Survivors of sexual assault can find support via the following organizations:
US – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)’s National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). RAINN also has an online chat service.
Love is Respect, 1-866-331-9474. They can also be reached via online chat or by texting LOVEIS to 22522.
End Rape on Campus (EROC), 1-424-777-EROC (3762).
Canada – Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, 1-877-232-2610.
UK and Ireland – UK Says No More.
Rest of the World – International Rape Crisis Hotlines.