We walk this path in life with what we want to believe are high moral codes. We place celebrities on pedestals with images of embellished grandeur. Not facts. Not a personality profile, and clearly not a psychological assessment of them. Our views of celebrities, coaches, and athletes are a combination of a media illusion and our want to believe in our fantasies. The benefit here is that when our heroes fall, and fall hard there is a positive, a benefit many times to be found. Sex abuse once again at the expense of the victim is making MAJOR headlines. Why? It is not the pain and suffering the children have experienced. It is not the “grooming” the manipulation that is done by the perpetrator. It is the media attention of a fallen illusion. A fallen hero who does not do the right moral and legal behavior for the benefit of the children.
Jerry Sandusky had direct affiliation with ” The Second Mile” an organization that took care of and fostered troubled boys. These children had acting out behavior, a past history of sex abuse and other emotional disabilities. They were desperate for trust as well as needing a father role model. Here is where the case becomes a major atrocity to this examiner/writer. Imagine a wildlife refuge. A serene, beautiful area where waterfowl came year after year and frolicked knowing there was no harm that would incur. One day a hunter gets permission to hunt he refuge. The ducks and geese come flocking in by the hundreds if not thousands, for they knew they could trust this environment. This is a greedy hunters dream. This is the environment Sandusky had. he had a refuge of emotionally wounded boys, some pre-pubescent and took advantage of their emotional handicap as well as manipulated their environment with money, football tickets, memorabilia and other gifts. This con is referred to as “grooming.” Sandusky is among the worst perpetrators, if we had to put a degree on perpetrators, for he preyed on the already wounded children. Paterno will go down in flames if there is any truth to the allegation that he knew but postponed his duty to report. This atrocity does have a benefit. Of course this silver lining is tainted, but never the less it is a fact. Due to this gross abuse and misuse of power, and neglect of a very serious crime the media has jumped on the bandwagon. Maybe some laws on reporting will be changed? Maybe we will have the ”Sandusky Perpetrator Reporting Law” in Pennsylvania? Maybe things will begin to slowly evolve for the better? I have to hope for this case is so disturbing to this writer. Disturbing for I know first hand what it is like to trust and become emotionally and physically betrayed. Grotesque because power, universities, and position give way to a false sense of entitlement and covering up for sports as well as to cover up for a prestigious name.
The children, do not forget the children. The media has minimized the effects of sex abuse, at least so far. These children will take longer than an average sex abuse victim to recover. This is just statistical common sense. Recurrent emotional trauma is literally devastating. The children. Ah yes, the innocent looking for a role model, a trusting figure. What better role model than a famous assistant football coach to one of largest power house football teams in college history. The courts need to look at pre-meditation, the severity of the abuse, the magnitude of the numbers, the coverup and the treatment for these children. Sandusky needs to pay monetarily and emotionally. Will he? Or is he too narcissistic for that? How many more Saduskies are out there that do not have the name? Many! Spread the word. Teach your children to speak up. They are the heroes, The victims of deception and courageous souls that will hopefully make a difference for others down the road for their pain.
