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Penn State “Crisis”:

I have read that the Chinese word for “crisis” is made up from conflicting symbols, one that means danger and the other opportunity. Some say this is an urban legend but it matters not, as it is exactly how we should view a crisis.

In the case of Penn State, they have entered a crisis so severe that the President, Vice President and the most winning coach in all of collegiate football have all quit or been fired and others will likely follow. Their behavior and reactions in dealing with a known serial pedophile, although not illegal, were so poor as to offend an entire nation.

Did football create this problem? Did the University system create it? No, not really although the top down power system and our desire to not want to believe, certainly contributed to the situation at Penn State. The “culture of abuse” and denial exists in all of our institutions and in the minds of most of the population, which helps perpetuate abuse.

The reality we are now faced with is one where:
Children were being sexually assaulted in an institution of higher learning.
The victims were picked from a population of children in need.
Adult bystanders observed the crimes of child rape and sodomy.
People in positions of respect and power were notified and did nothing.

Faced with this information we find it impossible to look away. Does Penn State need to dismantle its football program? Will Penn State become a pariah of colleges? I hope not. If you have a sports program that has helped thousands of kids learn to work together as a team, and become better people because of it, you don’t throw it away. You accept responsibility for your mistakes and you make amends by it.

Damon Sims, Penn State’s vice president of student affairs, said Sandusky’s public denials have prompted sexual abuse victims, unrelated to the Sandusky case, to come forward and seek help at university treatment outlets. He goes on to say, sex abuse is “more common than I’ve understood.” In his first extensive interview since taking office last month, Penn State President Rodney Erickson said that he seeks to transform the university’s public face from a football factory to a “world class research institution.”

I’m a survivor advocate and I object. You have a reputation of being good at football, so use the hand you are dealt and build on that. Don’t change boats in the middle of the stream, play to your strength. President Erickson said the university will establish a national Center for the Protection of Children to conduct research and provide treatment to victims of sexual abuse across the country. It will be initially funded with part of $2 million in college football bowl proceeds it is slated to receive from the Big Ten Conference.

This is a good start, but why not incorporate it into the athletic program. Part of the ticket sales can go to support programs (50 cents a ticket would raise over $500,000/year). Require abuse education and prevention for all students with a focus on young men and players. Air abuse awareness Public Service Announcements on all televised games. Become a symbol for “doing the right thing” when it comes to reporting abuse and working with survivors.

We have twenty million male survivors and thirty million female survivors and an unknown number of offenders in this country. Penn State offers five different graduate degrees in Homeland Security. Develop multiple graduate degree programs dealing with child sex abuse, treatment for survivors and effective programs for dealing with offenders.

Erickson says, “We are going to learn from this tragedy. We are not going to run away from the issue of child abuse.” So have a really impressive football program steeped in treating others with respect, and become the nation’s leading experts on child sexual abuse. Be the nucleus for cultural change. That would give value to the tragedy, the children that were abused, and it could help show the country how to face this epidemic.

Become a Phoenix rising out of the ashes.

Randy Ellison

Board President

Human Trafficking Bills Signed in Salem

Executive Director, Klarissa Oh, and Board President, Randy Ellison, joined other supporters for a ceremonial signing with Oregon Governor Kitzhaber of the three bills we helped pass on Human Sex Trafficking.

Thanks to the calls and emails that many of you made, it is no longer possible to use ignorance that a girl is under 18 as a defense when paying for sex.  In addition, hiring a minor for prostitution is punishable by a $10,000 fine for the first offense and $20,000 for a second offense. Change can happen.

Congratulations everyone!