More Columbus first responders publicly shared at a May 26 press conference that they were sexually abused by former Ohio State University doctor Richard Strauss, as the leaders of Columbus’ fire and police unions called for justice and accountability for abuse survivors.

“Today is about courage. Today is about truth. And it’s about the men standing beside other men who for decades carried trauma and silence that was never their to carry,” said Michael DiSabato, an Ohio State wrestler who competed for the Buckeyes from 1987-91.

DiSabato, the whistleblower who initially spoke out about sexual abuse that he and others endured at the hands of Strauss, was joined by fellow former Ohio State student athletes and central Ohio first responders outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

Tim Becker, Gahanna’s Director of Public Safety and a former Deputy Chief of the Columbus Division of Police, publicly shared for the first time that he was among the hundreds of individuals sexually abused by Strauss. Becker said he first met Strauss as an Ohio State student in the mid-1980s seeking medical treatment for a rash he developed from cycling.

Becker said he was abused multiple times by Strauss during his visits to the student health clinic. He also said he felt violated by Strauss in the showers at Larkins Hall, the university’s former campus gymnasium. Strauss would often shower alongside students, according to multiple former Ohio State students and athletes.

Though he’d seen stories about Strauss in the news for years, Becker said he would often change the channel to avoid having to relive his experience. Becker was inspired to come forward after seeing recently retired Columbus Fire Chief Jeffrey Happ share that he too was a Strauss survivor.

Bishop Ready alumni share abuse stories

Happ shared publicly on May 14 that Strauss first assaulted him when he was a 15-year-old multi-sport athlete at Bishop Ready. Strauss sexually abused Happ and his teammates during a body fat study conducted by Ohio State, the former fire chief said.

Todd Schroeck, a former Columbus firefighter who was present at the press conference, also experienced sexual abuse by Strauss as a Bishop Ready wrestler.

Schroeck said he was 17 years old when his wrestling team was selected to be part of Strauss’ body composition study. It was during a closed-door physical that Schroeck said he was fondled by Strauss.

“It’s time to be brave,” Schroeck said during the press conference. “Being a victim doesn’t have to define you.”

Becker said he isn’t sure if he’s planning to join the lawsuits against Ohio State. He ultimately chose to come forward with his story because he hopes more survivors will feel empowered to speak out.

During his law enforcement career, Becker worked closely with victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Becker said very few men who were sexually abused by men come forward to report crimes.

“I can’t ask anyone to come forward if I wouldn’t do it myself,” Becker said.

Union leaders speak on abuse

Steve Stein, president of Columbus Fire Fighters Union Local 67 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, began his remarks with an apology to the men standing beside him at the press conference.

“I heard about this stuff in the news, and I just assumed that justice was being served,” Stein said. “I just assumed that the victims were being heard, that they were being treated fairly… That assumption ends today.”

Stein said he knows that there are others out there who have been abused but haven’t shared their story.

“We all have your back,” he said, referring to the 1,700 Columbus firefighters and thousands of others statewide. “We all stand with you.”

Brian Steel, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge 9, echoed Stein’s remarks.

“The survivors of sexual abuse at Ohio State deserve to be heard, deserve to be respected, and they absolutely deserve to be supported,” Steel said. “What happened to them was a profound betrayal of trust at an institution that should have protected them.”

Steel said institutions like Ohio State “should never be above accountability, especially when innocent people are being involved.”

Higher education reporter Sheridan Hendrix can be reached at shendrix@dispatch.com and on Signal at @sheridan.120. You can follow her on Instagram at @sheridanwrites.

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