Church officials, teachers, coaches....The sexual abuse story coming out of Penn State ruined my weekend. I'm sure it upsets all my readers. When sexual acts are inflicted on any child a slice of civil society dies in the moment. Wanton predators leave emotional scars on trusting children and permanently extinguish their innocence.
In the case of Penn State the enablers should be held accountable. Why would any adult think that telling someone affiliated with an organization (like a university that would be directly affected by bad publicity) was sufficient? Filing a police report is the only way to ensure that charges are taken seriously. Had that happened, a young boy would have been able to experience how trustworthy adults (role models) step forward and speak up. Perhaps another boy could have been spared ongoing haunting nightmares, nervousness, fear and long term therapeutic support had one man had been unable to sleep knowing that although a crime against a child had gone unpunished. (updated)
If you volunteer at any athletic facility where children regularly change clothes and/or shower remain vigilant. Be sensitive if you notice a child's behavior suddenly change, and alert the licensed social worker so they can monitor the child, stepping in appropriately if worrisome reactions or mood changes signal trouble. Licensed counselors are also mandated to report child sexual abuse. Children depend on adults to protect them from danger, from inappropriate environments and things they don't understand. Grown ups must do the right thing, no matter what condemnation might follow.
To explore this topic from a unique perspective, you may wish to read an article about of the behaviors of child predators written by Mikaela Conley for the abc NEWS website.
OTHER NEWS includes the abuse of a dead soldier's body, and a report of years of child sexual abuse perpetrated at St. Benedict's school in London we have ask: Have we lost our humanity?
The Chicago Tribune reports that in Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb just north of Chicago, a middle school principal quit after being questioned about using his school cellphone to send lewd messages and photos to a college girl. Her complaint was filed two years ago, but nothing happened.
More proof from Yahoo.com that society lacks quality role models for teens. A female teacher in Antioch, IL has been accused of illegally entering adjusted student grades into the school system's database. She concentrated most of her effort on boosting the grade point averages of high school football players, all of whom played on her husband's team.
Foster children with disruptive behavior problems are being prescribed two psychiatric medications meant to be used to treat adults with severe conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia reports the New York Times. Pediatricians question the use of adult antipsychotics as a treatment for troubled foster children with behavior problems. These drugs have never been shown to be safe in minors and they typically cause serious side effects like weight gain when given to adults.
What about children in poorly monitored residential treatment centers who have no voice?
As the month ends, Syracuse University's athletic program is battling bad publicity after a respected assistant basketball coach is accused of having sexually abused young boys. ESPN's reporter presents the video report online.
WORLDWIDE
From Canada, the CBCnews posted an AP story on cases of abuse and other inappropriateness that allegedly included Baby Boomers attending schools, living in orphanages run by the Dutch Catholic Church. Meanwhile, the Huffington Post UK edition carried the story of a German judge who barely punished (while dismissing rape charges) a man who admitted to incest with his daughter. The sexual abuse began when she was a preteen. In Afghanistan a child bride was tortured for refusing the demands of her husband's family that she submit to prostitution. The horrible details are described in a story by Patrick Quinn of the AP.
More sadness coming from Germany where a priest has admitted forming a close relationship with the mother of a child he later took on trips and sexually abused. The BBC News shares the sordid details including how complaints to the Catholic diocese which had the authority to remove the perpetrator failed to forbid direct contact with church followers. (updated)
