USC Forms Unit to Study Rape Prevention Efforts

USC on Tuesday announced the formation of an independent panel to review university programs for the prevention and treatment of sexual assault.

The announcement comes in the wake of the acquittals of three USC varsity football players on misdemeanor sexual assault charges stemming from an alleged dormitory room attack on a graduate counselor. Although jurors in the case indicated that they believed an assault may have occurred, they said there was not enough evidence to be sure of what happened in the room.

After the June 14 verdicts, Deputy City Atty. George Lomeli roundly criticized USC for failing to take adequate precautions against sexual attacks. Lomeli said he hoped USC and other schools “would take those steps in the future.”