On June 17, 2025, HBO and Max released Surviving Ohio State, a powerful new documentary directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Eva Orner. The film exposes the decades-long sexual abuse carried out by Dr. Richard Strauss, a physician employed by The Ohio State University, and how the university failed to stop it.
Strauss worked at the university from 1978 to 1998, primarily as a team doctor for multiple athletic programs. During that time, he is believed to have sexually abused at least 177 male students, most of them athletes. His abuse was often disguised as routine physical exams conducted in exam rooms, locker rooms, and campus facilities.
An independent investigation commissioned by the university found that more than 50 university employees knew of concerns about Strauss’s behavior — yet the institution failed to take meaningful action. Strauss remained employed for years and retired with emeritus status before dying by suicide in 2005.
The documentary, which premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, amplifies the voices of survivors and brings long-overdue attention to how large institutions can enable abuse through silence and inaction.
Legal Fallout: Settlements and Ongoing Litigation
Since 2018, Ohio State University has paid over $60 million in settlements to 296 survivors. A separate settlement in 2020 awarded $40.9 million to 162 victims. These lawsuits revealed how the university ignored warning signs, mishandled complaints, and failed to implement basic safeguards.
In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the survivors’ claims, allowing hundreds of additional civil lawsuits to move forward under Title IX and state negligence law. These cases continue to seek justice for those who have not yet received compensation or public accountability.
How the Strauss Case Compares to Other Institutional Abuse Scandals
The abuse carried out by Dr. Strauss has been compared to other well-known cases, including:
- Dr. Larry Nassar, who abused hundreds of young women at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics
- Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State football coach convicted of abusing boys over a 15-year period
- Multiple cases involving clergy in the Catholic Church
In each case, the abuser operated under the protection of an institution that failed to act. Complaints were ignored, red flags were buried, and reputations were prioritized over safety. In the end, it was not criminal prosecution alone that brought the truth to light — it was civil litigation.
Why Civil Lawsuits Are So Important
Civil abuse lawsuits do more than seek compensation. They expose systemic failures, uncover internal records, and pressure institutions to adopt safer practices. These cases:
- Reveal what leaders knew and when they knew it
- Hold organizations publicly accountable
- Result in financial compensation for therapy, recovery, and life disruption
- Push for institutional reforms that benefit other children and families
Without civil lawsuits, many institutional failures would remain hidden behind closed doors.
At O’Brien Law Firm, we represent survivors in Missouri who were harmed in institutional settings such as schools, camps, churches, and youth sports programs. We help families navigate the legal system while centering emotional safety and long-term healing.
The Power of Media to Drive Awareness and Change
Surviving Ohio State is not just a documentary. It is a cultural moment. It puts survivor voices front and center, validates their experiences, and shows how institutions must be held accountable — no matter how powerful or respected they appear to be.
For survivors watching in Missouri and across the country, this documentary offers something rarely seen: acknowledgment, truth, and the message that it is never too late to speak out.
Know Your Rights in Missouri
Missouri law allows survivors of child sexual abuse to pursue civil lawsuits under the following timelines:
- Claims against the abuser can be filed up to age 31
- Claims against non-perpetrators, such as institutions or supervisors, must generally be filed by age 26
There are exceptions. For example, if a survivor only recently discovered the institution’s role or was unable to process the trauma earlier, the court may allow a later filing.
Civil claims can name:
- Coaches, teachers, doctors, or clergy
- School districts, churches, universities, or nonprofit organizations
- Staff members or administrators who failed to report or acted negligently
What To Do If You Are a Survivor
If you were harmed in an institutional setting, here are steps you can take:
- Reach out to a trauma-informed attorney who understands both the legal and emotional aspects of these cases
- Preserve any records related to the abuse or how the institution responded
- Do not wait — even if the abuse occurred years ago, legal timelines can still allow you to act
- Remember that your story matters and that legal action can bring validation and change
O’Brien Law Firm Is Here for You
Attorney Grant Boyd and the team at O’Brien Law Firm are committed to helping survivors in Missouri find justice. We offer private consultations, and we approach every case with care, respect, and strength.
Whether your abuse occurred in a school, church, camp, or athletic program — even if it was decades ago — we are here to help you understand your rights and take back your voice.
Contact O’Brien Law Firm today for a confidential consultation.