Advocates Hope Scandal Serves as Wake-up Call

One-time Penn State coaching icon Jerry Sandusky is accused of sexually assaulting young boys for more than a decade, and two university officials are charged with perjury and failure to report.  Head coach Joe Paterno’s weekly news conference was canceled on Tuesday, only fueling the speculation that he could be removed from the post he’s held for 46 years.

Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance Director of Training Tina Phillips was shocked and horrified when she first learned of the scandal.  “My heart goes out to the victims and their families,” she says, adding that that anyone can report the suspicion of child abuse.  “To do so all you need to do is contact ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313,they’re there 24-hours a day, seven days a week.”    

The Penn State Board of Trustees has already announced its intention to form a task force to review the university’s policies and procedures concerning the safety of children.  The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape has already reached out to PSU to offer its assistance and expertise.  “it’s just critical that they have the experts of child sexual abuse at the table when that is formed,” says PCAR CEO Delilah Rumburg.  “I hope that the good that comes from this is that it is a wake-up call to every adult in communities throughout the commonwealth, or anywhere else, that we have the responsibility to protect our children.”