DSHS & Washington State, Penn State etc - We must Speak Up when Children are Hurt

Paterno stunned by firing in Penn State scandal - CBS News

In a rational world how could Paterno be "stunned"? CBS cites a "source" without naming the source.

In Paterno's own words:

This is a tragedy," Paterno said. "It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."

"I wish I had done more."

That says so much.

What a way to end his life.

If people can consider what excruciating trauma happens to children who are so violated and used by a person in authority a better outcome will result from exposing secrets.

I teach a child abuse reporting class. I've had some folks in my classes who have been weighed down for years because they didn't "tell" what they witnessed or information they had that a child had been hurt.

Those things don't go away. Paterno could help the country and children who were so violated by telling all that he knew and knows.

An excellent film to watch on the impact of sexual violation to boys is called Mysterious Skin. Joseph Gordon Levitt plays the main character. You get an idea how sexual violation by a male authority, in the film, a coach impacts two boys in the film. It shows how the impact of sexual violation manifests differently yet just as traumatically in the two characters in the film.

For those students who rioted...I would recommend as well that they see this film.

When institutions cover up; whether it's Penn State or school districts in Washington State, or the Department of Early Learning in Washington State or the folks who worked for former Oregon governor Neil Goldschmidt; cover ups and secrecy creates a bigger and bigger bubble...that ultimately, must pop. And will pop in some fashion.

Folks lashing out at kids for "telling" likely have a history that they have suppressed.  Thirty-eight (38%) percent of children violently sexually assaulted have no memory of their assaults.  When little ones bury something so deeply it will still manifest in some fashion. 

For folks who were sexually violated, emotionally violated, physically violated as children I recommend getting Marilyn Van Derbur's memoir, Miss America by Day. Marilyn also has a DVD out. In Marilyn telling her story she gives healing moment for anyone with that history. Marilyn will help you.

Here's Marilyn Van Debur's link to her website:

http://missamericabyday.com/