Unhappy Valley, PA

Image via WikipediaBubbling under the surface of a successful athletic program at Penn State University lies a sordid tale of a longtime assistant football coach who allegedly had his way with a number of boys in a youth program he ran.  Those who were in a position to do something about the alleged abuse were either too slow, or looked the other way.

Now come the consequences.  The former assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky, was arrested Monday and charged with many counts of sexually assaulting eight boys in a 15-year period.  Two school officials were charged with perjury for allegedly covering up for Sandusky.  Wednesday, the university fired its president Graham Spanier and longtime head football coach Joe Paterno for improperly handling the situation. (For more on Paterno, please see Owljock Gazette at http://theowljockgazette.blogspot.com/.)

Penn State, a state-run academic institution based in State College, has now set itself up for lawsuits from the alleged victims and their families because of the school's negligence.  They are also at odds with their own students, some of whom rioted in the streets when Paterno's departure was announced.

While the charges against Sandusky may have been shocking and painful, and Paterno's exit becomes fodder for media saturation coverage, we are reminded that this isn't really about them.  It's about the boys.  But it's pretty hard to care about the alleged victims because, being juveniles by law, they're required to remain in the shadows.

When it comes to child sexual abuse, those in a position of authority (teachers, administrators, coaches, etc.) must report what they see to local law enforcement.  However, the protocol is so vague that there are some instances where doing the right thing isn't enough, ensnaring otherwise well-meaning people in a legal mess.

As the case unfolds and more victims may or may not turn up, it becomes a question of trust.  Are parents willing to trust their child to school programs and non-profit youth organizations, run by who they believe to be responsible adults?  If, God forbid, something terrible happens, can that child ever trust another adult?

UPDATE:  Paterno died January 22 at the age of 85 from lung cancer complications, which had kept him in and out of the hospital since the scandal broke.  Now it just made things a whole lot murkier.