This morning I happened to catch the press conference regarding the Freeh Report findings on the Penn State scandal in which Jerry Sandusky sexually abused several boys over the course of 15 years.
I already wrote about this back in November, and while I am not here to drag anyone's name through the mud, this report only confirms the way I felt in that post. So many influential people in that organization chose the status, glory and money they gleaned from something as globally insignificant as a football program over the welfare of all those innocent children. It is absolutely horrific.
But what can we really learn from this? We each may not have the status and ranking of Joe Paterno, Tim Curley or Gary Schultz, but we do all have a responsibility to be vigilant when it comes to abuse, especially when it involves children. Just a few weeks ago, a mom in my mom's club posted "How and when should I start talking to my kids about stranger danger?" One of the other moms responded with something along the lines of "More times than not, it's not strangers you have to worry about. Abuse often comes from people the child knows and trusts."
Check out this fact sheet on child sexual abuse from the American Humane Association:
http://www.americanhumane.org/children/stop-child-abuse/fact-sheets/child-sexual-abuse.html
I am going so far as to say that we each have a duty to read this information on the signs of sexual abuse and what steps we should take to report suspected abuse to the proper authorities.
As always, comments are welcome below. However, if you want to comment on the "legacy of Joe Paterno", I'm not even going to dignify you with a response. I'll be too busy sending light and love to the abused victims whose lives are forever scarred by not just the abuse but also by the inaction of people in the organization who knew and covered it up to save their precious football program.
Inaction is oftentimes the worst action.
Agreed 100%! "Courage is being afraid with the willingness to act anyway" Greedy cowards!
ReplyDeleteGreed really is the root of all evil
DeleteTwo thumbs up from a dad that reads your blog
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteYES! All of those "We are Penn State" alumni need to think long and hard about that chant. And false gods.
ReplyDeleteHopefully this report will open their eyes. Joe Paterno and the rest of the big guys are clearly guilty. Shameful shameful shameful.
DeleteIt's fine to say "we are Penn State" if you mean "we are more than football and these people who ignored this." I can't stand it when it is said like a slap in the face to those abused - like "we are penn state and we stand behind what these people did for the sake of our award winning football team." That doesn't sit well with me. I hope all those found to be negligent are charged...not that it will EVER give those boys back what they lost.
ReplyDeletePenn state is a fine college that is more than just football... I feel bad for those who studied hard and put their faith into the institution to have the institution let them down.
I just hope a lesson is learned by all - Fame and "winning" brings great responsibility. You can't lose site of your virtues and morals be because of greed of the win. I have seen it with parents, coaches, teachers, and administration many times throughout andrew's preschool, elementary, and middle school career - it scares and angers me. But I am only one parent in a sea of 100's of cheering parents...