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Survivors of "Annoying" sexual abuse with MSU after social media monitoring report, new arrest

Survivors of sexual abuse by Michigan State University physician Larry Nassar ] are upset with the university after social media monitoring news, the editor of the school newspaper State News told CBSN on Friday. A report in the Lansing State Journal states that the university spent more than $ 500,000 to a New York-based public relations firm to monitor the social media accounts of Nassar's victims and their families, journalists, celebrities and politicians.

The news of the alleged monitoring of social networks came days later William Strampel dean of the Osteopathic School of Medicine until the end of last year, was accused of improperly touching a student and storing photos of naked women in his work computer.

"Most of the survivors seem to be very upset with the university at this time," said Riley Murdock, editor of The State News. "Both in terms of social media monitoring news and the charges against Dean Strampel"

Nassar, who was employed by both MSU and USA Gymnastics, has been accused of sexual abuse and assault by more than 250 women and girls. He was sentenced earlier this year to at least 140 years in prison in three different cases.

Murdock said he had spoken with Rachael Denhollander who was the first victim of Nassar to speak publicly. Murdock said that although he could not speak for Denhollander, he said many believed there had been a "systematic problem" in MSU. Murdock said many of the survivors feel that the university did not hear them and that no one from the university had approached.

"The survivors had some idea," said Murdock. "Strampel's defense of Larry Nassar, at least publicly, was documented for a time, he has been very defensive with Nassar … and it was known for a time that he did not enforce the protocols he established for Nassar after the investigation." .

Murdock noted that those who spoke about the "daily problems" were the people who were monitored. According to a public record obtained by the Lansing State Journal, Weber Shandwick, based in New York, billed the university $ 517,343 for 1,440 hours of work performed by 18 employees.

The firm delineated and evaluated the coverage of related news and engagement in social media publications. The previous work had been done by employees of the university, although part of that continued along with the work of the external firm.

A spokeswoman for the state of Michigan said the university no longer works with Weber Shandwick. She did not give a reason.

The firm summed up media reports about the then president of the university, Lou Anna Simon, who attended the second day of Nassar's sentencing hearing in Ingham County when dozens of girls and women said they had sexually abused them under the guidance of medical treatment, even while working at school and at USA Gymnastics.

The firm also tracked down speculation about Simon's possible resignation and, days later, reports the resignation letter he submitted only a few hours after Nassar was sentenced.

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