Warren, I think this just points to the need for accountability measures in organizations (along the lines of pastors who do not counsel opposite sex congregants in isolation or behind closed doors, etc.).

I agree with you 100%, but there is another side to these situations. As a person who has taught children I can tell you first hand that these sorts of things have created a climate of fear around some who do instruct children – fear of being falsely accused to the point of almost not being able to do your job as an instructor. There are some, I don’t know how many – they may very well be a small minority – of qualified instructors who truly love kids who will not step into the instructor’s role due to this very fear. Some, maybe most, would see this as an acceptable but unfortunate circumstance. It all just makes me incredibly sad

What has me intrigued and horrified is ‘Dottie’. Is this just an incredibly clueless woman..or a woman in such deep denial she can’t/won’t see the forest for the trees?

One of the (alleged) victims testified he screamed loudly, knowing Dottie was home and right above the basement room where he was being abused by Sandusky.

The Foster and adopted children in the Sandusky home.. The ones that (according to news reports) would’ve had an uncertain future if they were not aided by the Sanduskys.. No wonder we’ve only heard of victims from 1994 on. Sandusky managed to create an endless pool of potential victims, right there.

One does not suddenly awaken the morning of his 50th birthday and seek a 10 yr old boy to abuse. We are all aware of how offenders escalate this behavior over time. Yet..still no official statement from Dottie? Why is it no one has investigated the particulars of the Foster children (and adopted six children)? They would be (understandably) terrified..but why isn’t Dottie Sandusky being grilled for what she knew? I just don’t believe ANYONE could be THAT clueless. Purposefully obtuse is more like it..or maybe EYES WiDE SHUT.

If the allegations are true, he hid in plain sight, spiritualized his sexual exploitation. Enjoyed his revered status and the access it gave him to vulnerable boys.

A fake father (there is some weird “Narth” correlation here, acting as a father figure to vulnerable youth to exploit them).

The bigger story in my mind is this: How large institutions are instinctively protected when these allegations first come to a leader’s awareness.

That is a repeated pattern: The Catholic Church, Boy Scouts, Mormon Church, and now Penn State.

Weak souled people (who are also leaders) are over-aligned in their identities with powerful organizations, and need the oranizations to be good despite the facts so the weak souled people can feel good.

Weak souled people (who are also leaders) are over-aligned in their identities with powerful organizations, and need the oranizations to be good despite the facts so the weak souled people can feel good.

Well said! 🙂