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Culture Of Sexual Assault In College Athletics Persists

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In this Nov. 18, 2018, file photo, Les Miles, left, is introduced as Kansas football coach by athletic director Jeff Long, right, during a news conference in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas has fired athletic director Jeff Long less than two days after mutually parting with Les Miles amid sexual misconduct allegations dating to the football coach’s time at LSU, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Orlin Wagner/AP
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AP
Les Miles, left, and University of Kansas athletic director Jeff Long, right, during a November 18, 2018 news conference in Lawrence, Kansas. Miles left his job as KU's football coach in March of 2021 amid sexual misconduct allegations dating to his time at Louisiana State University.

Universities and the NCAA have failed in addressing the systemic culture that supports sexual harassment and assault by college sports figures.

The culture of sexual harassment and assault has been a problem in college athletics for decades. One expert says the environment and a lack of accountability are partly to blame.

  • Jessica Luther, author of "Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of Rape" & co-author of "Loving Sports When They Don’t Love You Back"
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