In the recent national discussions about sexual assault on college campuses, victim advocates have said that many rape victims are afraid to come forward because of how they might be treated by the public. Sex abuse victims often have to face the very real possibilities that few will believe their story and that many will […]
The Catholic Church is among the largest, oldest and most entrenched organizations in the world. As such, when the Church does anything quickly it is almost certainly newsworthy. That’s one reason why Catholics here and Pennsylvania and around the country have been talking about the canonization of Pope John Paul II, who died in 2005. […]
If we have learned anything from the multitude of child sex abuse scandals in Pennsylvania schools, it is to never trust a teacher or other staff member without verification. Too many teachers and get moved around for sexual misconduct when they should be reported to authorities. Almost without fail they go on to commit sexual abuse against […]
The effects of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal continue to be felt throughout Pennsylvania. In light of the overwhelming number of victims who came forward, it came as little surprise that Sandusky was convicted and given a harsh sentence. A jury found Sandusky guilty on 45 counts of sexual abuse involving at least 10 boys over […]
It is sometimes overwhelming to hear stories that remind us of just how much evil exists in this world. This is one of many reasons why crimes committed against children must be punished. As a society, we need to see that justice is real and that the justice system works. Sadly, news outlets across the […]
The Jerry Sandusky scandal is still fresh in the minds of most Pennsylvanians. With Sandusky now in prison and most victim lawsuits settled or otherwise resolved, the focus now turns to the former Penn State officials who allegedly failed to intervene after receiving disturbing accounts of Sandusky sexually abusing at least one of his victims. Those accounts […]
It is now nearly impossible to hear about Penn State without thinking of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Pennsylvanians in the town of State College would probably like to move on and to rebuild the once stellar reputation of a place nicknamed Happy Valley, but doing so will not be easy or quick. Within the framework […]
President John F. Kennedy once said that “the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis maintain their neutrality.” We are in a time of great moral crisis: an epidemic of sexual abuse committed against children. Regardless of their particular religious beliefs, most Pennsylvanians would agree that if […]
Most celebrities give money and endorsement to various charities and causes at some point. Most of the time, however, it seems as though celebrities choose charities/causes that are entire without controversy and easy to discuss publicly. Such causes are certainly worth supporting, but neither celebrities nor regular Americans should shy away from other important causes […]
In recent decades, the Catholic Church’s reputation has been tarnished by a continuous wave of sexual abuse scandals. The cases in a given area of the country often start with a single allegation, which then gives other victims the courage to come forward. And despite criminal investigations, civil lawsuits and landmark settlements, allegations continue to […]