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Penn State Victim's Mom: He Didn't Want Another Boy Hurt

Something should have been done earlier, says furious parent

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 9, 2011 3:56 AM CST

(Newser) – Angry mothers of two victims in the Penn State sex abuse scandal are revealing their sons' heartbreaking pain, frustration, and their bravery at pressing charges. "I'm very proud of him," said one mom. “He’s a brave kid. And his major concern was for anybody else. That was his big thing. He said, ‘I don’t want this to happen to anybody else.’” Her boy met coach Jerry Sandusky—who has now been hit with 40 counts involving sex abuse of eight boys—at a charity for needy children that Sandusky started, reports the Patriot Ledger. Her son, then 15, was star-struck by the famous coach but quickly seemed troubled by something, his mom recounted. He finally revealed his abuse to his high school principal. Three years after the boy and his mom came forward to complain, Sandusky was finally charged.

Another victim, approached in the showers by Sandusky, had come forward 10 years earlier, but his complaints were dismissed by authorities. It was all a big mistake, mother and son were told at the time. "I'm so upset," said the mom of that victim, now 24. "My son is extremely distraught." Sandusky “admitted it to my face,” the mother said. “He admitted that he lathered up my son, they were naked." They should have "done something about it in 1998, and then again in 2002" when a graduate assistant spotted Sandusky with a boy in the showers, she said. "There were two chances they dropped the ball, and I think they should all be held accountable.”

Penn State head coach Joe Paterno is lost in thought on a field.
Penn State head coach Joe Paterno is lost in thought on a field.   (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack, File)
This Dec. 28, 1999 file photo shows Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky being carried by players Rick Bolinsky (92) and Jason Wallace (88) after the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.
This Dec. 28, 1999 file photo shows Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky being carried by players Rick Bolinsky (92) and Jason Wallace (88) after the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Protestors hold up signs outside the Administration building on the campus of Penn State University calling for the resignation of the school's president on November 8, 2011 in State College.
Protestors hold up signs outside the Administration building on the campus of Penn State University calling for the resignation of the school's president on November 8, 2011 in State College.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 23 comments
HotCopy
Nov 10, 2011 12:39 AM CST
How in the hell do people ignore something so obvious in their face involving young children? We need maximum non-negotiable penalties for crimes involving children.  And people do really need to understand the difference between a pedophile and a homosexual. Totally different! A pedophile engages in illegal, criminal acts with children of either sex. A homosexual has inherent (BORN WITH IT) tendencies toward their own sex and is able to have healthy normal relationships with other adults.  A vast majority of pedophiles lead what appear to be normal heterosexual lives, most often it is these creeps, as parents and grandparents, mostly male but increasingly female, who are the criminals against their own children, grandchildren and the network of friends they can access through them. In almost 100 percent of cases they were molested as children, but that is no excuse as, unfortunately, a great many people have been molested as children and yet do not act out against others in adulthood.
Cuervohappy
Nov 9, 2011 8:30 PM CST
Not to be a bitch here,but what the hell.How fucking stupid are you? Really? Gay men like other grown adult,gay men.Pedophiles are a whole other thing.Pedophiles like CHILDREN,both girls and boys.They cannot have a functional  romantic relationship with an adult.This has nothing to do with gay men.Sandusky is a pedophile,not gay.Big difference.Just FYI,in case you are going to reply,I am an over 40 Native American/White female and used to be in Law Enforcement and Corrections.Also FYI,pedophiles NEVER get "cured" or "rehabilitated".
saucier111
Nov 9, 2011 11:57 AM CST
When you vote for gay rights, you are giving these sexual predators more power.
 

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