At Advocate Capital, we believe in the power of the civil justice system and in the attorneys and organizations who use it to fight for those who cannot fight alone. Today, we want to shine a light on an ongoing battle for justice that underscores why this work is so important: the case against Ohio State University (OSU) for enabling decades of sexual abuse by team physician Richard Strauss.
Complaints about Strauss’s predatory behavior began as early as 1979, yet OSU repeatedly ignored, dismissed, or concealed them. Instead of protecting students and athletes, the university allowed the abuse to continue for nearly two decades, giving Strauss access to countless individuals he would go on to harm.
The scope of this institutional failure became undeniable in 2019 when an independent investigation concluded that Strauss had sexually abused at least 177 survivors and that OSU had consistently failed to act on reports of misconduct. Many students lost not only their sense of safety, but also the educational and athletic opportunities they had worked their entire lives to earn.
In 2018, Public Justice filed suit on behalf of survivors who were abused by Strauss. Today, their attorneys represent 106 survivors determined to hold OSU accountable for the life-altering harm they endured.
Survivors turned to Public Justice for a reason: the organization has a long and successful track record litigating federal Title IX cases on behalf of student survivors nationwide. Their legal team has spent seven years and counting vigorously challenging OSU’s efforts to deny justice. They continue to push forward so their clients can be heard, have their day in court, and ultimately spark changes that keep future students safe.
Cases like this underscore the importance of civil justice work. Survivors deserve the opportunity to confront powerful institutions, to demand accountability, and to seek meaningful change. When organizations like Public Justice stand with survivors, they help ensure universities and other institutions cannot ignore or bury abuse.
Public Justice’s leadership in cases like this is one reason we are proud to support the organization. Plaintiff attorneys and advocacy groups often take on cases that require years of litigation and significant financial resources.
Public Justice continues to stand strong in support of Strauss survivors and students across the country. Their work embodies the values we believe in: fairness, accountability, and access to justice for all.
Visit publicjustice.net to learn more about Public Justice and support their mission, whether through donations, education, or sharing their work with others.
