Imprison Paterno & Give Penn State Football the Death Penalty

Staggering Effects of Child Sex Abuse Prove USA Must Strongly Battle Molestation!

By Kelly O'Connell ——Bio and Archives--November 13, 2011

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The monstrous tale of diabolical Jerry Sandusky's horrific child sex attacks is still not yet fully outlined. But former Penn player and NFL great Matt Millen has ominously stated--"There's a train coming down the tracks, whether you want to believe it or not, so you better get ready for it." In other words, while Sandusky's victims are officially now less than ten in number, it is inevitable the numbers will go well into the hundreds. And many more Penn State and other Pennsylvania officials are bound to be involved.

But a larger issue is raised here--the tens-of-thousands of kids molested every year in America, and the staggering cost of the aftermath. The total number of victims involves millions of persons and costs billions per year, according to a study done by the CDC, called the ACE study (Adverse Childhood Experiences), the most comprehensive of its kind. As an under-reported crime which has insufficient resources to fight it, studies prove we must reassess our priorities. That is the subject of this essay.

Penn State Child Rape Coverup

A. Overview

The most shocking aspect of the recent Jerry Sandusky child rape charges at Penn State are that a conspiracy existed to hide the crime. Writes Peter Wehner at Commentary:

It's been less than a week since we learned that former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was charged with either sexually abusing or raping eight boys over a 15-year time period. In addition, Tim Curley, the athletic director, and Gary Schultz, the senior vice president for finance and business, were charged with perjury and failing to report to authorities what they knew about the allegations. And last night, the Board of Trustees fired Graham Spanier, president of Penn State, and Joe Paterno, the legendary coach of the Nittany Lions.

B. Jerry Sandusky--Child Rapist Extraordinaire

The story and background of former PSU coach Jerry Sandusky is both amazing, for its boldness in his commitment to molest, and typical as to how he went about it. Sandusky played football for Penn State and then stayed to become a coach. During this time he also started a children's charity in 1977 called The Second Mile, a clear allusion to Christ's statement in Matthew 5:38-42:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Yet, one source describes how unbiblical were Sandusky's secret activities in his charity:

On November 4, 2011, a grand jury indicted Sandusky on 40 counts of sex crimes against young boys. The indictment came after a three-year investigation that probed allegations of Sandusky having inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old boy over the course of four years, beginning when the boy was ten years old. The boy's parents reported the incident to police in 2009. A grand jury identified eight boys singled out for sexual advances or sexual assaults by Sandusky from 1994 through 2009. At least 20 of the incidents allegedly took place while Sandusky was still employed at Penn State. On November 5, 2011, Sandusky was arrested and charged with seven counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; eight counts of corruption of minors, eight counts of endangering the welfare of a child, seven counts of indecent assault; and other offenses.

Making the story much worse is the fact that the leadership of Penn State, including Joe Paterno and the Athletic Director knew about the charges, but did nothing. But Paterno, until almost universally hailed as one of the cleanest coach in sports, told reporters he and his wife would "start praying for those kids that got involved with some of the problems that were talked about." ABC News reported on Paterno's further comments. He stated,

"I've lived for this place. I've lived for people like you guys and girls," Paterno said to the hundreds of fans cheering outside his home this evening. "It's hard for me to say how much this means. "As you know, the kids that were the victims, I think we ought to say a prayer for them," he said. (video)

The introduction to Jerry Sandusky's autobiography, Touched, reveals how he approached boys. PSU's equipment manager, who wrote this:

My first real contact with Jerry Sandusky came from a rather odd question he posed to me: "How much do you weigh, young man?" I was puzzled, because I knew he wasn't interested in me as a linebacker, but I told him I weighed about 95 pounds. "Get up on that scale," he ordered. I did and the locker room scale topped out at 96. "Not bad," Jerry said, trying to sound as mean as possible, "but you still have some work to do." Sensing my confusion, Jerry stared at me and continued. "We gotta get you up to 100 pounds before you're ready to fight me." Fight him? I barely knew him. "When you get up to 100 pounds, it's gonna be you and me in the center of the locker room in a boxing match. Then I'll show you who the real boss is. It'll be you and me eyeball-to-belly button." The last remark was made in reference to my five-foot height, but I smiled and let it go.

II. Overview of Pedophilia

Spotting child molesters:

The US Department of Justice lists these characteristics of pedophiles

Usually an adult male but some women also sexually abuse children
Often a child molestation victim themselves
Seeks out children of the age group they were when victimized
Usually married and hard-working
Employed within a wide range of occupations
Usually well-liked and respected community members
Often well-educated and regular church-goers
Relates better with children than adults
Some prefer boys, some prefer girls
Usually prefers a specific age group of children
Takes and collects photographs of victims while dressed, nude or in sexual poses
Collects child-adult pornography
Seeks to lower inhibitions of potential victims
Regularly attends children's events in the community
Volunteers in youth organizations
Coaches children's sports
Chaperones camping or overnight trips
Frequents video arcades, playgrounds or shopping malls
Offers babysitting services
Seeks jobs where children are easily accessible
Befriends parents, especially single mothers, to gain access to children
Participates in internet gaming with children
Joins social networking websites such as MySpace, Facebook, and other social media
Become foster parents
Seeks job opportunities where children are easily-accessible

III. Cost to Society of Pedophilia

The overall costs to society as a direct and indirect result of child abuse is staggering, to say the least, given one report says: "It is estimated that there are 60 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse in America today." The financial costs of child abuse are stated here:

The estimated annual cost of child abuse and neglect is $103.8 billion in 2007 value. This figure represents a conservative estimate. First, only children classified as abused or neglected by the Harm Standard are included. Second, only those costs related to victims are used. We have not attempted to quantify other costs associated with abuse and neglect. Third, the categories of costs included in this analysis are by no means exhaustive. As examples, a large number of child victims require medical examinations or outpatient treatment for injuries not serious enough to require hospitalization; maltreated children are at greater risk of engaging in substance abuse and require alcohol and drug treatment services; and youth with histories of child abuse and neglect may be at greater risk of engaging in risky behaviors such as unprotected sexual activities as well as greater risk of teen pregnancy. Although the economic costs associated with child abuse and neglect are substantial, it is essential to recognize that it is impossible to calculate the impact of the pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life that victims of child abuse and neglect experience.

So, if one were to include the costs of lifelong substance abuse and other risky behaviors done simply in order to mask the psychological pain, certainly the financial costs would run into the hundreds of billions each year. For example, one study reports:

Significantly higher annual health care use and costs were observed for women with a child abuse history compared to women without comparable abuse histories. The most pronounced use and costs were observed for women with a history of both physical and sexual child abuse. Total adjusted annual health care costs were 36% higher for women with both abuse types, 22% higher for women with physical abuse only, and 16% higher for women with sexual abuse only. Abused patients had the highest severity of illness (61%), hospitalization charges ($30,684), daily charges ($5,294) and mortality rates (53%) of any group. Moreover, 70% of the abused children died and most (60%) of the survivors had severe residual morbidity.

The costs to girls of sexual abuse is also stunning. Reports once source:

Young girls forced to have sex are 3 times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders or abuse alcohol & drugs in adulthood, than girls who are not sexually abused. Sexual abuse was also more strongly linked with substance abuse than with psychiatric disorders. Also, sexual abuse may lead some girls to become sexually active at an earlier age & seek out older boyfriends who might, in turn, introduce them to drugs. Psychiatric disorders were from 2.6 to 3.3 times more common among women whose CSA included intercourse, and the risk of substance abuse was increased by more than four times, according to the results. And adolescents with a history of sexual abuse are significantly more likely than counterparts to engage in sexual behavior putting them at risk for HIV infection

The prevalence of child sexual assault is much higher than most would guess, with one source stating: "The typical child sex offender molests an average of 117 children, most of who do not report the offence." (National Institute of Mental Health, 1988.) And the numbers are rising:

The Department of Health and Human Services estimates child abuse & neglect in the United States nearly doubled during the seven years between 1986 and 1993. The report estimates the number of abused & neglected children increased from 1.4 million in 1986, to over 2.8 million in 1993. The number of children who were seriously injured quadrupled from about 143,000 to nearly 570,000.

One author comments upon male sexual abuse, writing

WHEN SEXUALLY abused boys are not treated, society must later deal with the resulting problems, including crime, suicide, drug use and more sexual abuse, said the study's author, Dr. William C. Holmes of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine." & "The earlier studies found that one-third of juvenile delinquents, 40% of sexual offenders and 76% of serial rapists report they were sexually abused as youngsters." & "The suicide rate among sexually abused boys was 1¬Ω to 14 times higher, and reports of multiple substance abuse among sixth-grade boys who were molested was 12 to 40 times greater."

Some of the many effects of child sexual abuse include:

Sexual abuse effects on children with a history of molestation show they are 7 times more likely to become drug/alcohol dependent; in residential treatment facilities for treatment of substance abuse & related disorders, 64% of the girls & 24% of boys reported histories of sexual abuse; 85% of runaways in Toronto have been sexually abused ; 17% of abused children exhibit age inappropriate sexual behavior; 14% of abused children exhibit behavior problems; 29% of abuse children exhibit depression or anxiety; 98% of female street youth in British Columbia reported being victims of physical or sexual abuse as compared to 32% of female youths in schools. 59% of male street youth reported being victims of physical or sexual abuse as compared to 15% of male youth in schools; The study found the odds of becoming a child molester were 5 & 1/2 times greater for adult male victims of childhood sexual abuse than for adult male non-victims; Children with a history of sexual molestation are 10 times more likely to attempt suicide.

Jim Hopper's website examines male sexual assault. He lists Potential Long-Term Effects of the Sexual Abuse of Males. This section lists potential, but not inevitable, lasting effects of the sexual abuse of male children. Collated by David Lisak, Ph.D. The themes are:

Anger; Fear; Homosexuality Issues; Helplessness; Isolation and Alienation; Legitimacy; Loss; Masculinity Issues; Negative; Childhood Peer Relations; Negative beliefs about People; Negative beliefs about the Self; Problems with Sexuality; Self Blame/Guilt; Shame/Humiliation, etc. (Lisak, D. (1994). The psychological impact of sexual abuse: Content analysis of interviews with male survivors. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 7, 525-548.) Using standardized measures of symptoms, researchers have found that men who were sexually abused in childhood, whether or not they seek out mental health services, may suffer from: Anxiety; Depression; Dissociation; Hostility and anger; Impaired relationships; Low self-esteem; Sexual dysfunction; Sleep disturbance; Suicidal ideas and behavior.

In terms of criminal activity, adults molested as children are:

14% of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children; 36% of all women in prison were abused as children; Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime. And Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.

And let's not forget the chief source of child abuse in America--the Cinderella Effect.

As rare and horrible as the murder of a child by a parent is, statistically, step-parents are far more dangerous than birth moms and dads. It's called the Cinderella effect - a nod to the unsavory acknowledgment that the evil step-parent is not just a character in fairy tales. Step-parents beat children under five to death at per capita rates more than 120 times higher than do genetic parents, according to an analysis of Canadian homicide data from 1974 to 1990. And overall, step-parents abuse and kill kids at much higher rates than birth parents.

IV. Why Such Rampant Child Abuse in America?

Here are just my thoughts on what is causing America to have such ongoing problems with child sexual abuse: A. Breakup of Traditional Family: This has left many kids without protectors and leaves them emotionally vulnerable to men claiming to be "father-figures." B. Sexual Revolution This blurred all the lines on sexual activity making the only standard personal preference. C. Dissolving of Old Neighborhood Vigilance People no longer pay much attention to whet their neighbors are up to. D. Disinterest in Children Society no longer put a high value on the safety of kids. E. Over-Sexualizing of Society Many people now believe they have no business telling even youngsters what they may do sexually. F. Over-Saturation of Pornography Porn is everywhere, encouraging many to develop fantasies and act out upon themselves G. Internet Connecting Previously Isolated Pedophiles The Internet now keeps thousands of molesters in daily touch and exchanging kiddie porn H. Prison Sentence Reform Pedophilia, an essentially incurable disorder, is no longer given lifetime sentences I. Nihilism in Society It became fashionable a few decades ago to teach kids that moral stands are "judgmental" J. Push-back Against the Church The Ten Commandments have become passe'. Now every action can be justified, no matter how selfish.

V. Conclusion--What Can Be Done?

America is in a crisis. We overvalue celebrity without any thought whether it is legitimate. And so "Hero" football coaches are worshiped like god, and allowed to do anything they wish. We also dismiss what is not trendy. Meanwhile, our children are taught by government teachers that sex has no innate value, while sexual boundaries are increasingly meaningless. So we have built a society where virtue is a foreign concept. We especially prize pleasure and discount anything slowing down immediate gratification. And within such an environment we expect children to thrive and grow into healthy adults. To really curb child abuse and especially kid molestations, we must recommit ourselves to the safety of children. This means putting them first. First, we must remove from the Internet porn and places where pedophiles gather--like the recently closed Limewire. But much further we need to get natural parents back involved in their kid's lives. It will take massive efforts to roll-back easy divorces, live-in boyfriend and girlfriends, and return kids to a safe environment. Overall, we must fight to eliminate single-parent households, especially those headed by women, in an effort to head-off generations of kids who've never felt a father's love and are therefore incredibly needy of the company of adult men. Such changes are so large we may need another Great Awakening to return Americans to sanity. But given the incredible cost of child abuse, and its cyclical and degenerative nature--if we don't try--it may well end the USA as we once knew it, if we don't start fighting to eliminate it.

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Kelly O'Connell——Bio and Archives

Kelly O’Connell is an author and attorney. He was born on the West Coast, raised in Las Vegas, and matriculated from the University of Oregon. After laboring for the Reformed Church in Galway, Ireland, he returned to America and attended law school in Virginia, where he earned a JD and a Master’s degree in Government. He spent a stint working as a researcher and writer of academic articles at a Miami law school, focusing on ancient law and society. He has also been employed as a university Speech & Debate professor. He then returned West and worked as an assistant district attorney. Kelly is now is a private practitioner with a small law practice in New Mexico.