Penn State Sexual Abuse Scandel

It has taken me some time to take in what has happened at Penn State with the sexual abuse allegations against retired Assistant Coach Jerry Sandusky.  Because of who is involved, the number of victims and the number of people who had knowledge of these allegations the media coverage is overwhelming.

The sad thing is that children are being physically, sexually and emotionally abused and neglected everyday without media attention.  In most cases there is someone that knows the abuse is occurring but doing nothing about it.  If anything good can come out of all this, it would be that anyone who knows a child is being abused will speak up and report it. 

We all need to take a look at ourselves and improve our job of protecting our children.  They deserve better from us.  You don't need to have a child to protect a child.  Abuse on any level should never be tolerated and needs to be reported. 

Years ago people did not get involved in another family's business and if a child was being abused they look the other way.  It was considered a family's dirty little secret and something they would handle.  Now a days with social media, cameras and video capability on cell phones it is much easier to capture abuse or neglect. 

It also takes parents educating their children on abuse.  When a child is being sexually abused they will keep it to themselves because of the shame of the act our out of fear of the perpetrator.  Children need to understand that a perpetrator can be male or female, any age or race and can even come from within their family. 

As parents the education does not stop when they are young.  Children still need to be educated on sexting, cyber bullying, and domestic violence as they enter into relationships of their own. 

If you know or suspect a child is being abused, it is up to you to report it.  You may be the call that saves that child.  I also want to remind people just because you have reported an incident keep reporting any further abuse.  It may be that third or fourth call that finally gets results. 

Some of the Penn State staff members who knew of the allegations and reported them to their supervisors did nothing to follow up.  That is their biggest regret and something they wish they could have changed. Their regrets however don't help the victims that were abused after the fact.

Please speak up for the children that don't have a voice loud enough to speak for themselves. 

I have attached a poem I found at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.  It is something I keep framed by desk as a reminder that if I sit and do nothing then I am just as guilty, because I am allowing it to happen.  Below are the phone numbers to report child abuse and some helpful links:   

National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-Child

Washington State Abuse Hotline 1-866-ENDHARM or 1-866-363-4276                  TTY 1-800-624-6186

Pierce County Child Protective Services 253-983-6100        TTY 253-593-5144

Washington State Children's Administration Link:

http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/safety/abusereport.asp

Parent Education Links:

http://www.childhelpusa.org/

http://www.childabuse.com/