I'm proud to say that I am a former student-athlete. I will back up many of the systematic formalities that are in place for student-athletes and staff, throughout all divisions of sport. However, I have a big problem with the amount of money being thrown around in athletics (elite DI institutions) while other programs on campus continuously go underfunded, losing equipment, resources, student interest, and faculty to budget cuts. Additionally, I don't believe athletes or athletic staff are "above the law" by any means. Yet, I can see why they might think they are.
As the Penn State case continues to evolve, sparking interest, hatred, repulsion, and 
a growing media frenzy, I'm also starting to consider the situation from both sides of the fence. Yes, I'm a mental health professional, a mandated reporter, and I understand the immediate morality present when witnessing or having knowledge of sodomy and extreme sexual abuse of children. However, I'm not as surprised as many are by the "swept under the rug" actions taken place by witnesses and administrators. Unfortunately, I've seen and heard of a lot of inhumane acts of violence, abuse, and perpetration so far in my young career. For those "famous" in the elite college athletic culture, most hold a high degree of integrity, that we can see. Some do not, and sometimes that becomes public knowledge. Cover your ears if you still believe that everyone is "good" in this country--there is PLENTY of unethical behavior that goes on, both on campus and on road trips, that we don't know about, and probably never will. Are all of these acts unwitnessed? Probably not. Are all of these acts unreported? Probably most are. According to the RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) website, 44% of RAI victims are under the age of 18, in every 2 minutes in the U.S., someone is sexually assaulted, 60% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police, and 15 out of 16 rapists will never spend a day in jail. Jerry Sandusky is one man. One wealthy man. One wealthy man from an elite athletic program, with many "high profile" resources.
In a recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Michael Ruse from Florida State claims that amongst a financial recession, head football coach, Jimbo Fisher received a 50% raise (aka $950,000
) to his already savvy $9 million five-year contract this past year. Mr. Ruse concludes, "Why would Paterno or anyone else think that the normal rules apply to them? Why would Paterno or anyone else lift a finger to upset the apple cart – or should one say gravy train?" It's a reasonable question, in my eyes. USA Today reports that Paterno alone was bringing in an average of $554,000/year.
Why do you think we have programs such as witness protection? Because many people try to do the right thing by reporting criminal offenses, and when these accusations are against
someone in high power, that "witness" now becomes a target of a wide range of physical, financial, and familial threats. Once the Penn State news broke, the Washington Post released a statement that assistant coach Mike McQueary (who attempted to report Sandusky's abuse as a GA) would not be attending the following Saturday's game against Nebraska due to "multiple threats" made against him. Now we watch the world unpack Coach McQueary's character in intense critical fashion. As NBC Sports has stated, upon witnessing a single sexual act (not multiple) with Sandusky and a boy in 2002, McQueary consulted with his family and reported the act to Joe Paterno the very next day. If Paterno and the Penn State University President wouldn't back up the need to take this matter to the police, what makes us so sure if McQueary would've gone to the authorities, he would've been taken seriously? Penn State defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky's word against a graduate assistant. Hmm. Something to think about.
By all means, I DO NOT support the multiple errors in judgement presented throughout this entire case at Penn State. My stance in this blog is to simply point out the reality behind a morally and emotionally charged public event. I do believe that all sexual abuse of children should be reported IMMEDIATELY. However, if I was being directly or indirectly threatened, and I was told "the situation is being handled" by my trusted mentor, I probably would think twice about making a report to the police. In the case of Sandusky and McQueary, we don't know why such threats are being made against the witness in this case. Is it because he didn't "make sure" the act was reported to authorities? Or is it because "he got Joe Paterno fired?"
The events themselves are extremely unfortunate, and I am happy to hear that victims are now finding support and freedom to express their voice. Whether this will be a good thing for our country or not, I foresee this Penn State chaos to symbolize to other perpetrators that they are not invincible. My worry is that continued news of the threats against witnesses will now only further stifle those who know of such abuse.
Kylie
a growing media frenzy, I'm also starting to consider the situation from both sides of the fence. Yes, I'm a mental health professional, a mandated reporter, and I understand the immediate morality present when witnessing or having knowledge of sodomy and extreme sexual abuse of children. However, I'm not as surprised as many are by the "swept under the rug" actions taken place by witnesses and administrators. Unfortunately, I've seen and heard of a lot of inhumane acts of violence, abuse, and perpetration so far in my young career. For those "famous" in the elite college athletic culture, most hold a high degree of integrity, that we can see. Some do not, and sometimes that becomes public knowledge. Cover your ears if you still believe that everyone is "good" in this country--there is PLENTY of unethical behavior that goes on, both on campus and on road trips, that we don't know about, and probably never will. Are all of these acts unwitnessed? Probably not. Are all of these acts unreported? Probably most are. According to the RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) website, 44% of RAI victims are under the age of 18, in every 2 minutes in the U.S., someone is sexually assaulted, 60% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police, and 15 out of 16 rapists will never spend a day in jail. Jerry Sandusky is one man. One wealthy man. One wealthy man from an elite athletic program, with many "high profile" resources.In a recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Michael Ruse from Florida State claims that amongst a financial recession, head football coach, Jimbo Fisher received a 50% raise (aka $950,000
) to his already savvy $9 million five-year contract this past year. Mr. Ruse concludes, "Why would Paterno or anyone else think that the normal rules apply to them? Why would Paterno or anyone else lift a finger to upset the apple cart – or should one say gravy train?" It's a reasonable question, in my eyes. USA Today reports that Paterno alone was bringing in an average of $554,000/year.Why do you think we have programs such as witness protection? Because many people try to do the right thing by reporting criminal offenses, and when these accusations are against
someone in high power, that "witness" now becomes a target of a wide range of physical, financial, and familial threats. Once the Penn State news broke, the Washington Post released a statement that assistant coach Mike McQueary (who attempted to report Sandusky's abuse as a GA) would not be attending the following Saturday's game against Nebraska due to "multiple threats" made against him. Now we watch the world unpack Coach McQueary's character in intense critical fashion. As NBC Sports has stated, upon witnessing a single sexual act (not multiple) with Sandusky and a boy in 2002, McQueary consulted with his family and reported the act to Joe Paterno the very next day. If Paterno and the Penn State University President wouldn't back up the need to take this matter to the police, what makes us so sure if McQueary would've gone to the authorities, he would've been taken seriously? Penn State defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky's word against a graduate assistant. Hmm. Something to think about.By all means, I DO NOT support the multiple errors in judgement presented throughout this entire case at Penn State. My stance in this blog is to simply point out the reality behind a morally and emotionally charged public event. I do believe that all sexual abuse of children should be reported IMMEDIATELY. However, if I was being directly or indirectly threatened, and I was told "the situation is being handled" by my trusted mentor, I probably would think twice about making a report to the police. In the case of Sandusky and McQueary, we don't know why such threats are being made against the witness in this case. Is it because he didn't "make sure" the act was reported to authorities? Or is it because "he got Joe Paterno fired?"
The events themselves are extremely unfortunate, and I am happy to hear that victims are now finding support and freedom to express their voice. Whether this will be a good thing for our country or not, I foresee this Penn State chaos to symbolize to other perpetrators that they are not invincible. My worry is that continued news of the threats against witnesses will now only further stifle those who know of such abuse.
Kylie
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