PCAR Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape NSVRC National Sexual Violence Resource Center Kristen Houser Vice President of Communications, PCAR 717-728-9740, ext 144 or 814-933-9960 cell khouser@pcar.org Tracy Cox Communications Director, NSVRC 717-909-0710, ext 116 tcox@nsvrc.org July 29, 2013 PSU ADMINSTRATORS PRELIMINARY HEARING – DAY 1 Inaction has dire consequences for victims, institutions More than a year after Jerry Sandusky was found guilty on 45 of 48 counts of child sexual abuse, former Penn State administrators Graham Spanier, Gary Schultz and Tim Curley were in Dauphin County Courthouse Monday related to charges of a cover up at the university including endangering the welfare of children. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) were inside the courtroom. DON’T IGNORE SUSPICIONS THE TESTIMONY: Today’s proceedings revealed consistent inaction in the face of numerous opportunities when adults could have taken action to protect children. . McQueary said after witnessing Sandusky sexually assaulting a boy in the shower in 2001, he confided to his father through tears, “You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what was going on.” . During a business meeting in 2001, Mike McQueary said his father encouraged Schultz to look into the Sandusky incident and follow up. . According to Schultz’s former administrative assistant, Joan Coble, there was a confidential file on Sandusky regarding employee misconduct that she was instructed not to view, unlike other confidential files to which she had access. Coble said she wondered what Jerry had done, but dismissed it since he continued to coach. THE LESSON: Trust your gut. You need to report an ANY suspicion of child sexual abuse and allow trained professionals to investigate. Personal notes written by Schultz described Sandusky’s actions as “at best inappropriate, at worst sexual improprieties.” Both scenarios warrant a call to ChildLine at 800-932-0313. FAILURE TO REPORT EQUALS MORE VICTIMIZATION THE TESTIMONY: Detailed notes and emails revealed that Curley, Schultz and Spanier knew of a 1998 investigation involving Sandusky hugging a boy while naked in the shower. When McQueary reported seeing Sandusky sexually assaulting a boy in the shower three years later, the three men decided to talk to Sandusky and take his keys away, instead of alerting the authorities. Tom Harmon, former director of University Police, read aloud notes written by Schultz asking if interviewing other children would be “opening up Pandora’s Box?” THE LESSON: People who sexually abuse require more than a lecture to disrupt their crimes, and victims deserve the opportunity to have the courts hold offenders accountable. The reality is that most people who commit sex offenses are serial offenders. Deciding not to ask about other possible victims out of fear of finding them only denies access to services and support for anyone who needs them. It gives offenders opportunities to commit more sex crimes. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape is the oldest state anti-sexual violence coalition in the U.S. and represents 50 sexual assault centers that serve the state’s 67 counties. Each year these centers provide education and confidential services, at no charge, to more than 30,000 men, women and children affected by sexual abuse. Founded by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape in 2000, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center identifies, develops and disseminates resources regarding all aspects of sexual violence prevention and intervention. For news and updates, visit www.twitter.com/pcarorg and www.twitter.com/nsvrc.