“The leaders of America’s leading research universities bear the significant responsibility of providing the safest environment possible for hundreds of thousands of students in both undergraduate programs and graduate and professional schools,” according to the President of the Association of American Universities (AAU) in a January 2020 report. Many college students, however, still report and fear sexual misconduct at alarming rates on college campuses across the country. A 2020 report by the AAU found that over 35% of women believe that sexual assault and sexual misconduct are “very” or “extremely” problematic at their schools, an increase from 2015.
On October 25, 2021, the former senior vice president for communications at Liberty University, filed a lawsuit accusing the university of retaliation under Title IX. View the lawsuit here.
NOTE: These are only allegations that at this time have not been proven in court
On Oct. 25, 2021, Politico reported in part:
A former top Liberty University official is accusing the influential Christian school of firing him after he refused to participate in an alleged “cover-up” of mishandled sexual assault and harassment reports made by students.
It was further reported:
“While we are generally reticent to comment on personnel matters, we would like to make it clear that Lamb’s advice on how to publicly respond to the Jane Doe Title IX lawsuit played no role in his termination,” the university spokesperson said in a separate statement about Lamb’s lawsuit. “His termination was the result of a meeting about a recent review of the area under his management.”
Liberty University President Jeremy Prevo’s Oct. 26, 2021 statement, states in part:
I want to make something clear, as I did on the day the lawsuit was filed, as I did in my email to my team on the same day, as I did in Convocation to the student body this fall and in this note to you: Liberty University will not tolerate Title IX violations, sexual abuse or sexual assault in any form at any time.
Related News
Liberty University leaders approve third-party investigation of alleged sexual assaults
Senators urging federal investigation into Liberty University’s handling of sexual assault claims
Former Liberty U official claims he was fired for raising concerns about sexual assault cases
‘Liberty for all Jane Does:’ Liberty University students call for action after lawsuit
Experience Matters
Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice. Our former prosecutors have extensive experience representing victims of all ages. The Legal Intelligencer named Sauder Schelkopf partners to its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” The Legal highlights our partner’s innovative work on advocacy as class counsel in large institutional sex abuse cover-ups, women’s, and children’s rights. The American Lawyer named Joe Sauder to its 2021 Northeast Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 60 lawyers who are “truly agents of change.” It “recognizes professionals in the Northeast who have moved the needle in the legal industry.” The Northeast includes Maine, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.
Sexual Abuse
- Sauder Schelkopf, and co-counsel, recently reached a $215 million settlement on behalf of female patients of Dr. George Tyndall, a gynecologist at the University of Southern California accused of sexual misconduct since the 1990s. The settlement also included significant policy changes to prevent future sexual misconduct.
- We have a class action lawsuit pending on behalf of males who were victims of sexual misconduct by Dr. Richard Strauss, the Ohio State team doctor, while they were students and student-athletes at Ohio State University.
- We have been court-appointed as Interim Co-Class Counsel to represent former students of the University of Michigan who were victims of sexual misconduct by Dr. Robert E. Anderson, former director of University Health Service, and a former athletic team physician, who worked at the University of Michigan from 1968 until his retirement in 2003. We also filed a separate class action with co-counsel seeking non-economic relief seeking major reforms of the University of Michigan’s policies and procedures related to sexual assault and violence on campus.
We Want to Hear from You
If you are a survivor of sexual misconduct, you can confidentially contact the lawyers at Sauder Schelkopf by filling out the form on this page or calling 888.711.9975