The University of Southern California is going to pay $1.1 billion to former patients of a campus gynecologist who stands accused of sexual abuse. This is the highest payout over sexual abuse in higher education history.

> The case began with this Los Angeles Times news reports exposing the abuse:
https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-usc-george-tyndall-sg-storygallery.html

The payment tops $500 million Michigan State University paid over sexual abuse of gymnasts and $109 million Penn State paid to settle sexual-abuse claims. The higher figure reflects several factors [https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-25/usc-payout-gynecologist-sex-abuse-claims-to-top-1-billion]:

* A 2019 state law temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for certain sexual assault lawsuits, which allowed women to sue the doctor over appointments going back to the 1990s.
* The doctor has treated over 17,000 women over three decades and this large number of potential victims increased the settlement figure. The number of direct accused too was high.
* University officials knew of abuse for long but ignored complaints, according to evidence with the lawyers. (On the basis of these lapses, the Department of Education sanctioned the university last year.) The university president had to step down following the outrage over the abuse reports.

Also read:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/usc-agrees-1-1-billion-settlement-hundreds-women-alleging-abuse-n1262075

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/25/us/usc-settlement-george-tyndall.html

On the other hand, Dr George Tyndall – arrested in 2019, charged with sexually assaulting 16 patients, and waiting trial – maintains he is innocent and will be exonerated. The case also opened a debate about the practice of gynecology. The line between medical examination and outright inappropriate touch, or between asking case history and asking about private life, is very thin. However, in this case, several nurses and ‘chaperones’ who accompanied patients has also complained against his allegedly questionable behavior. The episode has forced the university to employ more female gynecologists. Also, more full-time staff has been added to the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Program.

> The USC Settlement website:
https://www.usctyndallsettlement.com/

FAQ:
https://change.usc.edu/faq/

Legal commentary:
https://www.hbsslaw.com/sexual-harassment/usc-dr-tyndall-settlement-myth-vs-fact

Statistics:
https://www.rainn.org/statistics/campus-sexual-violence

Guidance:
https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/sexual-assault-and-rape/college-sexual-assault