By Elayne Savage, PhD
This is the first time I've written a part 2 follow-up in 5 1/2 years of publishing my TipsFromTheQueenOfRejection.com blog – but here we go . . .
I was incredibly moved by the guilty on 45 of 48 counts verdict on Jerry Sandusky.
In November, 2011, I shared my feelings about this case and how it touched a nerve with me – both personally and professionally as a Child Protective Services worker for so many years.
My feelings in response to the verdict are even more powerful . . . and empowering. The victim-y residue has lasted far too long. I only hope the verdict is as empowering for the victims of Jerry Sandusky and others who have endured abuse by family, teachers, mentors. coaches . . . or whoever abused power in these kinds of ways. Abuse has many colorations: sexual, physical, emotional maltreatment and neglect.
http://www.tipsfromthequeenofrejection.com/abuse/
Interestingly, just before the Sandusky verdict someone posted a comment about my September 2009 blog about spankings. Her sister had just shared that blog post with her and she in turn shares her experience of childhood spankings – and their long term effects – with us.
http://www.tipsfromthequeenofrejection.com/2009/09/thoughts-on-spanking-children.html
And only a few minutes after her post, the Sandusky verdict came down!
After 15 years of not paying attention to complaints of abuse, the state of Pennsylvania finally wised up. They brought 48 counts against Jerry Sandusky and the jury found him guilty of 45!
Yet I still find myself asking, as I did in my earlier blog on Sandusky and Penn State officials:
Why did they look the other way for so long?
Why did it take 15 years to stop this man?
How many more boys have been vulnerable to the abusive sexual overtures of Jerry Sandusky over these years?
The good news is investigations are still going on about why Penn State officials did nothing to protect these at-risk kids that Jerry Sandusky coached and mentored through his Second Chance Foundation.
Hopefully this is a heads up for parents and authorities. Hopefully this verdict will give other victims permission to speak up about the mistreatment, shame and humiliation they have endured. Hopefully, other perpetrators will be stopped.
Life-long and Life-changing Consequences
Attorney General Linda Kelly talks about the "life-long and life-changing consequences" for his victims. In spite of her skipping over the fact that it took 15 years for justice, the video is worth watching. She asks, "Who would believe a kid?" We in Belleforte, PA could and would believe a kid." . . . Well, yes, but it took authorities 15 years since the first report by child and parent surfaced in 1998.
Here's the link to the Attorney General's comments:
As Kelly states, "where there is one victim, there very likely are more." No surprise that Sandusky's adopted son, Matt, now alleges sexual abuse by Jerry Sandusky. Especially since we found out Matt's ex-wife was trying to protect her children by getting a restraining order when Sandusky was first arrested in November, prohibiting her three children from sleeping over their grandparents home.
Just Call 1-800-4-ACHILD If You Think Someone Might Be Abusing a Child
Perhaps you, too, know of children who could use some protecting from inappropriate sexually, physically or emotionally abusive behavior - or neglect.
I'm hoping this verdict will give permission to those who have been abused by an adult – and to caring adults in their lives – to come forward.
You can call 800-4-ACHILD or contact your local police, or sherif or Child Protective Services Agency.
Make the call and describe what you suspect is happening. You don't have to have 'proof' of abuse or neglect. That's up to investigators to determine. You can make the call anonymously if necessary, but please make it.
Thanks for listening. As you can tell this is an emotional topic for me. This jury verdict brings validation and justice - for myself and in the name of every other child who has experienced this kind of lopsided abuse of power by an adult.
And hopefully it will help balance how we view the safety of our world . . . and the people in it.
© Elayne Savage, PhD
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