The legacy of Richard Strauss M.D. not only points to the unethical, sexually abusive behavior that has long existed in certain areas of the sports world, but it underscores a code of shameful silence when it comes to the abuse of young men. As the lawsuits against Larry Nassar M.D. and his abuse of young gymnasts at Michigan State University have piled up, the story of Dr. Richard Strauss, the monster of Ohio State, has almost gone unnoticed. We can’t allow that to happen.
177 Male Athletes – and more?
After an exhaustive investigation, the Ohio State University has determined that starting in the 1970s and through the mid-1990s, the school physician Dr. Richard H. Strauss sexually abused at least 177 men, most of whom were varsity athletes. The worst part of this scandal may be that over the decades at least 50 staff members of the university’s athletic department were aware of the abuse. Not one person stepped up to help the students.
The report states in graphic detail how the physician groped the students, forced them to strip and interrogated them on their sexual practices despite the fact that such procedures were not necessary.
Said the president of Ohio State, Michael V. Drake:
“The findings are shocking and painful to comprehend. 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.”
In a way, it is all too late except to offer tepid apologies. Strauss committed suicide in 2005, perhaps (and I’m not a psychologist) realizing the seriousness of what he had done. Sadly, the report detailed that from 1979, Dr. Strauss’ examinations were an open secret but that no one in a position of power ever did anything about it.
The doctor’s actions were very reminiscent of Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky who now sits in a jail cell. Reports have emerged as to how Strauss showered with students, how he loitered in the locker room and was otherwise inappropriate. Despite reports from abused students to athletic directors and other authorities, no one acted.
Fake Investigations – Dr. Richard Strauss, The Monster of Ohio State
Yielding to pressure to do something, in 1994, the former Ohio State sports medicine director, Dr. John Lombardo, decided to conduct what he described as an “investigation.” The report was filled with bias and was hardly official. He determined that nothing was amiss. It was not until 1997 that the university suspended him and removed him however, he never lost his tenure! He opened a clinic near campus where he allegedly continued to sexually abuse students.
The report concluded:
“From roughly 1979 to 1996 male students complained that Strauss routinely performed excessively — and seemingly medically unnecessary — genital exams, regardless of the medical condition the student-patients presented.”
After conducting more than 500 student interviews, there was a consistency in the responses from survivor to survivor and sport to sport.
What makes this scandal so frightening to me from an ethical point of view is the complete lack of accountability and oversite. I would also be regretful were I not to say that this fraud is also filled with gender bias. While it is horrible that Larry Nassar abused women, was it not just as horrible that Dr. Richard H. Strauss abused young men?
Both cases share many common elements. In neither case were the victims believed. In both cases, there was a lack of ethics training and ethical expectations, as well as no oversite. Both Strauss and Nassar were sexual predators who had the opportunity to act out their fantasies without consequence. Their need was both sexual and power.
How does a medical professional rationalize this behavior? Perhaps he doesn’t. Perhaps there is no rationalization for this type of predator. However, the true question of rationalization must be applied to the dozens of administrators and coaches who knew what was going on and did nothing. Did they not want to “upset things?” Were they afraid of answering difficult questions for fear of losing tenure and salaries?
No matter their particular reasons for rationalization many student athletes suffered; some scarred for life. People now long in retirement, should have been penalized and they weren’t.
