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Penn State Needs to Pay for Failing to Protect Jerry Sandusky's Victims

by Mary Fischer on June 25, 2012 at 3:55 PM

Jerry Sandusky mug shotA guilty verdict may have been given in the Jerry Sandusky trial, but it's pretty safe to say that this scandal is far from over. The disgusting crimes he committed against those poor boys will never be forgotten, and if there is any justice in this world, Penn State will be forced to pay those victims a large sum of money after turning a blind eye to claims that Sandusky had been seen engaging in questionable behavior with a minor.

Of course, there really is no amount of money that can take away the unimaginable physical & emotional pain that Sandusky's victims endured. Child sex abuse really isn't something that you can erase by writing a check.

But at least if the victims are compensated monetarily, it will force Penn State to admit they were wrong by not reporting Sandusky's acts to police so that an investigation could be conducted. The school may not have directly committed the acts, but ignoring what was going on still makes them a key player in child after child being hurt by Sandusky.

And what makes the whole story even more appalling is that if Penn State does wind up having to pay for their lack of action, it's the school's current students, faculty, & staff who will probably wind up feeling the effects of it. Depending on just how much cash they have to shell out, there's the chance that the university will wind up having to do some major cut backs.

Jerry Sandusky may be behind bars, but that doesn't mean he isn't still causing plenty of harm to innocent people.

Do you think Penn State should have to pay the victims?

 

Image via Centre County Correctional Facility

Filed Under: college sports, football, scandal

Comments

7
  • bills...
    --

    billsfan1104

    June 25, 2012 at 4:07 PM
    Nope. Because the police failed to investigate, because there wasnt enough evidence, according to them. Sandusky did the deeds, he should pay.
  • dirti...
    --

    dirtiekittie

    June 25, 2012 at 4:09 PM

    my heart goes out to the victims' and their families, no doubt about that. however, it's a little harder for me to jump on the 'penn state must pay!' bandwagon. i think that in order for PSU to pay damages for these families', a lawsuit would have to be brought against them and they'd have to determine how much the staff really knew about what was going on. that would then determine how much PSU would be on the hook for, i'd imagine.

    at the same time, i can't fathom that any amount of money in the world could fix any of these poor victims. personally, i think it would be far better if the school agreed to cover any therapy / counseling costs along with any medical costs that stem from the abuse. and offer scholarships to either their school or others for the victims to either use or share with a family member. but i don't believe just handing someone a check changes anything.


  • Trace...
    -- Facebook comment from

    Tracey Plummer

    June 25, 2012 at 4:18 PM

    I do not feel the school is liable. The whole thing is tragic, and I'm sure there are things the school can do to help these people out if they choose, but it was individuals, and not the institution, that failed to protect these kids. Go after the individuals who are in the wrong.


  • Kritika
    --

    Kritika

    June 25, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    In the eyes of the law (and common sense) those "individuals" represent and make up the "institution" that failed those children. Companies and schools get sued and pay out money every day for the mistakes their personnel make.


  • Stacey.
    --

    Stacey.

    June 25, 2012 at 5:53 PM

    I dont think Penn state should pay. Doesnt anyone remember that back in '98 a childs mother called the cops on Jerry, officers got involved, and nothing came of it? How in the world can bad police work fall back on Penn State? Please get your facts straight.

    Reference: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/321785


  • Feline
    -- Nonmember comment from

    Feline

    June 25, 2012 at 10:14 PM
    I don't think so at all. That would be a case of trying to find deep pockets to get a payday. Many, many people have been sexually abused at some point in their lives, which is horrific, but does not mean that someone needs to cut them a check because of it. If an investigation were to prove that Penn State had some culpability in the matter (and I don't know that they do), perhaps their football program should be suspended or they should have to fund a program to provide mental health services to abused children in general.
  • teener
    -- Nonmember comment from

    teener

    June 30, 2012 at 10:32 PM
    I can't put into words how wrong I think the other commenters are. The senior people at Penn State, including Graham Spanier and Joe Paterno, were absolutely guilty of covering this up, and therefore allowed this monster to keep on raping little boys. If your son was one of his victims, would you feel the same way? I know I'd want to tear their heads off their necks.
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