Dr. George Tyndall resigned from USC last year after an internal investigation found he performed unnecessary or unprofessional physical exams and made inappropriate comments to some of the young women in his care Photo: AFP
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https://scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2146723/china-calls-investigation-abuse-allegations-university Diplomacy
China calls for investigation into abuse allegations at University of Southern California
Consul general in Los Angeles expresses ‘deep concern’ at reports retired gynaecologist carried out unprofessional physical exams on students
The University of Southern California has been accused of being too slow to act on accusations of abusive sexual practices by a gynaecologist who saw student patients at the Engemann Student Health Centre. Photo: AFP
The Chinese government has expressed “deep concern” over published reports that a University of Southern California gynaecologist was allowed for years to treat students, many of them from China, despite accusations of sexual abuse and harassment.
The Los Angeles Times reported this week that Dr. George Tyndall, 71, resigned from USC last year after an internal investigation at the university found he performed unnecessary or unprofessional physical exams and made inappropriate comments to some of the young women in his care.
Tyndall was not suspended by the university until 2016 despite complaints dating back to the 1990s, the report said, adding that he has not been arrested or charged with any crime.
“We noticed the report and expressed our deep concern over the situation,” Xinhua quoted an unidentified official from the Chinese consul general in Los Angeles as saying late on Wednesday.
“We request USC to take serious step to investigate the issue and protect Chinese students from illegal violation.”
Neither the consul general nor Tyndall could be reached for comment.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, he denied any wrongdoing, saying: “I’m there to protect the health of Trojan women,” referring to the school’s mascot.
Emily Gersema, a spokeswoman for the university, said on Thursday that it was preparing a statement in response to the Chinese government. USC enrolled 5,101 students from China last year, according to its website.
In a “letter to the USC community” issued on Tuesday on the school’s website, its president C.L. Nikias said Tyndall was placed on administrative leave in June 2016 after a complaint by a staff member and since then had not been allowed contact with students.
The university acknowledged in the letter that it did not report accusations against Tyndall to the California Medical Board until this year, when he sought reinstatement at USC.
“On behalf of the university, I sincerely apologise to any student who may have visited the student health centre and did not receive the respectful care each individual deserves,” Nikias said.
Earlier this year Larry Nassar, a former faculty member and doctor at an on-campus clinic at Michigan State University and a doctor for USA Gymnastics, was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to criminal sexual conduct.