In this day and age it is incomprehensible to understand that leaders in large and high profile institutions have not picked up on how to handle politically sensitive matters.
What many people have learned is that when bad things happen they should be handled correctly regardless of bad press or increased scrutiny by governmental agencies or the news media. And what is just as bad as the incident in question, is the painful and infamous dissection of the cover-up.
Investigations have begun by state and federal authorities looking into the allegations of sexual abuse at Penn State. Pennsylvania authorities are looking for violation of state law and the U. S. Department of Education is investigating for violations of federal law under the Clery Act. The Clery Act deals with the proper reporting of crimes at or near colleges and universities that receive federal funding.
Grand jury testimony indicates that former coach Jerry Sandusky has been accused of sexually assaulting at least eight boys. Reports indicate that prior to those allegations, Sandusky was arrested in 1998 on similar charges but the prosecutor failed to continue legal action against him.
Reports indicate that football coach Joe Paterno was aware of the arrest in 1998 and of at least one of the allegations that appeared later. He claims he properly reported the later incident but at no time were police contacted to investigate this allegation.
What is more important at a state university, saving the prestige of the university and its football empire or the protection of young boys from sexual predators?
Regardless of the results of these investigations, I can't help but wonder what would have happened if everyone involved, just did the right thing. How much pain and suffering of the victims would have been avoided? How much respect would we have for Penn State today?
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