Colleges and universities are supposed to be a safe place to promote higher learning, explore what the world has to offer, and to find mentors and leaders that can help guide you along the way. Unfortunately, some employees and administrators have left countless students and university representatives and administrative staff sexually harassed and abused due to the power dynamic. These events never should have occurred, and many educational institutions failed to put the safety of their students and staff members as a priority.

WHAT THEY KNEW

There have been five major colleges in the news recently that have come under fire for the indiscretions and inexcusable behavior of certain staff members and educators.

• Michigan State University – Sports doctor Larry Nassar was accused of sexually abusing student athletes.
• Ohio State University – Sports doctor Richard Strauss was accused of sexually abusing students. He took his own life in 2005.
• Dartmouth College – Three former psychology professors were accused of sexually harassing students and one is accused of sexual abuse.
• Columbia University – Former Dean of Students, Thomas Harford, sexually harassed women on campus and engaged in sexual behavior with a student.
• University of Southern California – USC gynecologist George Tyndall has more than 200 police reports against him and over 300 women have filed suits against him in state and federal courts in California.

WHEN THEY KNEW IT

While these incidents never should have happened, what makes these cases even more horrible is that several of the college administrators put their staff, reputations, financial gain of the university, and personal well-being above the safety of their students.

Michigan State University’s former president, LouAnna Simon, has now been charged with lying to investigators about the complaints that were filed against Nassar.

Ohio State University employed Dr. Strauss over a 20 year period. During that time, plaintiffs alleged that Strauss may have abused or harassed “1,500 to 2,500 male student athletes”.

Dartmouth admitted to knowing that these professors had harassed students for over a decade and failed to do anything about it because they considered the complaints “isolated” incidents.

Columbia University allegedly knew about Dean Harford’s prior acts of sexual harassment and stalking women and failed to stop him from harming other students. Irene Politis filed a claim against Columbia University and Dean Harford and has now been awarded $60 million in damages.

At USC, reports and complaints of sexual harassment were filed against Dr. Tyndall as early as 1990 but weren’t fully investigated by the university until spring 2016.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If you or someone you know has been sexually harassed or abused on a college or university campus by an employee of the school – such as a coach, counselor, professor, doctor, or dean – you may be able to file a claim. These offenses can happen to men, women, and transgender students and staff members, and it’s time to speak out against this type of pain. We understand that it can be scary, embarrassing, and emotionally difficult to come forward and share these events, but you’re not alone.

Not only do the offenders need to be held accountable for their actions and prevented from harming others, but the school administration needs to make student safety a top priority. Many of these cases are being outside the courtroom, so call Periscope Group today at (800) 511-3838. We want to hear your story and help you in any way we can.

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