Like most of the world, I have carefully watched the Jerry Sandusky trial. After his conviction, a mother of one of the victims stated, "There are no winners here."
I am not sure I totally agree with that statement. This trial did do some good. It has raised the awareness of child sexual abuse in a way that has never been done before. A prominent citizen, a respected man in sports, education and charitable work was exposed for exactly what he is - a pathetic creature who preyed on innocent, vulnerable and already broken children. It brought this taboo subject out into the open where everyone could see it for what it is.
No matter how Sandusky, his attorneys, his wife or his employers tried to spin it - the jury saw through the excuses for his behavior. Sandusky wasn't able to con them the way he had conned everyone else.
In every species of life, the young depend on adults for sustenance and protection. This goes so far beyond societal expectations. It is ingrained in our DNA. Children must have the protection of adults in order to survive both physically and mentally.
When that process breaks, the whole chain breaks. The children become weak and may die. Or they grow up to be weak adults.
Because the dependency and trust of adults is so crucial to their survival, most children have a hard time discerning that they are being abused. And if they do recognize it, they are convinced that no one will believe a child over an adult.
In Eddie's case, this was the exact reason he kept quiet about the world he grew up in. He was convinced that no one would believe him. And yet, he constantly held onto the hope that an adult somewhere would eventually save him and his brothers and sisters.
In the Sandusky case, this is exactly what should have happened. Even more shocking to me that he would so blatantly abuse these children in his own home and work environment is that NO ONE did anything to stop him.
It makes me physically ill when I think of the all the people who suspected or knew what he was doing and did nothing to stop it. Each one of them should be held accountable for their actions - or in this case lack of action.
No matter how much I could write on this subject, I don't think I could sum it up any better than Linda Kelly, the attorney general of Pennsylvania. If you haven't seen this video, please watch it. It is worth the 10 minutes of your time.
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/22/12365711-landmark-day-reaction-to-guilty-verdict-in-sandusky-child-sex-abuse-trial?lite
I am not sure I totally agree with that statement. This trial did do some good. It has raised the awareness of child sexual abuse in a way that has never been done before. A prominent citizen, a respected man in sports, education and charitable work was exposed for exactly what he is - a pathetic creature who preyed on innocent, vulnerable and already broken children. It brought this taboo subject out into the open where everyone could see it for what it is.
No matter how Sandusky, his attorneys, his wife or his employers tried to spin it - the jury saw through the excuses for his behavior. Sandusky wasn't able to con them the way he had conned everyone else.
In every species of life, the young depend on adults for sustenance and protection. This goes so far beyond societal expectations. It is ingrained in our DNA. Children must have the protection of adults in order to survive both physically and mentally.
When that process breaks, the whole chain breaks. The children become weak and may die. Or they grow up to be weak adults.
Because the dependency and trust of adults is so crucial to their survival, most children have a hard time discerning that they are being abused. And if they do recognize it, they are convinced that no one will believe a child over an adult.
In Eddie's case, this was the exact reason he kept quiet about the world he grew up in. He was convinced that no one would believe him. And yet, he constantly held onto the hope that an adult somewhere would eventually save him and his brothers and sisters.
In the Sandusky case, this is exactly what should have happened. Even more shocking to me that he would so blatantly abuse these children in his own home and work environment is that NO ONE did anything to stop him.
It makes me physically ill when I think of the all the people who suspected or knew what he was doing and did nothing to stop it. Each one of them should be held accountable for their actions - or in this case lack of action.
No matter how much I could write on this subject, I don't think I could sum it up any better than Linda Kelly, the attorney general of Pennsylvania. If you haven't seen this video, please watch it. It is worth the 10 minutes of your time.
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/22/12365711-landmark-day-reaction-to-guilty-verdict-in-sandusky-child-sex-abuse-trial?lite
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