Former University of Southern California (USC) football player, Kana’i Mauga, was arrested on Thursday, September 2nd, for allegedly raping two women in separate incidents. The 21-year-old linebacker was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and is being held on a $500,000 bail.
According to the LAPD, the first alleged rape occurred on July 14th, 2021, when Mauga reportedly assaulted a woman at a party in Los Angeles. The second incident took place on August 28th, 2021, when Mauga allegedly raped another woman at an apartment in Los Angeles.
Mauga played for USC from 2018 to 2020 and was a member of the team that won the Pac-12 Championship in 2020. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Las Vegas Raiders in May 2021 but was released by the team in August.
The USC football program has been plagued by numerous scandals in recent years, including the college admissions scandal that involved several coaches and administrators. In 2018, former USC assistant coach, Todd McNair, sued the NCAA for defamation after he was accused of knowing about improper benefits given to former USC player Reggie Bush.
The allegations against Mauga are just the latest in a string of sexual assault cases involving college athletes. In recent years, there have been numerous high-profile cases involving athletes from schools such as Baylor University, Michigan State University, and the University of North Carolina.
These cases have sparked a national conversation about the culture of college sports and the way that universities handle allegations of sexual assault. Many critics argue that universities prioritize winning over the safety and well-being of their students, particularly when it comes to star athletes.
In response to these concerns, many universities have implemented new policies and procedures for handling sexual assault cases. Some schools have established dedicated offices to handle these cases, while others have implemented mandatory training for all students and staff.
Despite these efforts, however, sexual assault remains a pervasive problem on college campuses. According to a 2019 survey by the Association of American Universities, more than one in four undergraduate women reported experiencing sexual assault or misconduct during their time in college.
The allegations against Kana’i Mauga are a sobering reminder of the ongoing problem of sexual assault in college sports. As universities continue to grapple with this issue, it is clear that much more work needs to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
