On Tuesday, the University of California announced a $243.6 million settlement to put to rest allegations of sexual abuse by a former UCLA gynecologist. At least 203 women in 50 different cases will be covered under this settlement, with each victim set to receive $1.2 million.

Hundreds of lawsuits accuse former UCLA gynecologist James Heaps of groping and sexual abuse over his 35-year career at UCLA’s Student Health Center. Over the past decade, Heaps’ victims, a majority of whom were women who had cancer or came to be screened for cancer, have come forward with their accusations against Heath and the university. Many of the victims accuse the university of not handling the accusations properly as an investigation into the complaints wasn’t launched until 2017.

Many of the lawsuits accuse the university of deliberately hiding Heaps’ misconduct, with many citing the fact that Heaps was allowed to continue seeing patients as the investigation unfolded. It was not until 2019 that a judge ordered the suspension of Heaps’ medical license as the investigation continued.

In a statement by UCLA Tuesday, the university acknowledged the settlement and hoped it would provide “healing and closure” for all of the victims involved.

"The conduct alleged to have been committed by Heaps is reprehensible and contrary to the University's values," their statement reads. "Our first and highest obligation will always be to the communities we serve, and we hope this settlement is one step toward providing healing and closure for the plaintiffs involved."

One of Heaps’ victims, Kara Cagle, a breast cancer survivor, shared with the Los Angeles Times, "Today, after eight long years, I received recognition of what happened to me.” Cagle adds, "Although there is some consolation in that, my heart breaks for all the women who were not spared, all the women who suffered after me, because UCLA refused to act."

Another victim, Julie Wallach, shared at a press conference, “I’ve been waiting 20 years for this day." Wallach recounted that when she reported the abuse to UCLA in the late 1990s, the university ignored her. “There was no one else to go to. I mean, who do you fight?" she said. “The emotional toll it’s taken over the years has been tremendous."

While this settlement will provide financial relief to some of the victims who suffered at the hands of the former doctor, there are many more lawsuits still underway. At least 300 former patients have ongoing lawsuits targeting Heaps and the university. Last July, A federal judge granted a $73 million settlement brought on by over 5,500 women against Heaps.

This latest settlement comes on the heels of a similar settlement reached in a university-level sexual misconduct, where the University of Michigan agreed to a massive $409 million lawsuit with over 1,000 patients who detailed they were abused by a sports doctor who worked at the university.