Case 3: The Penn State Abuse Case
Time & Location: 1994-2009, Pennsylvania, USA
Victim: At least 10 young boys
Background: The Penn State abuse case came to light in 2011, involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who was accused of sexually abusing at least 10 young boys over a period spanning from 1994 to 2009. Sandusky used his charity for underprivileged youth, The Second Mile, to groom and abuse boys. The abuse often occurred on Penn State’s campus and was reportedly known to some members of the university’s staff, including the legendary head coach Joe Paterno, who was criticized for not taking stronger action.
Current Status: Jerry Sandusky was convicted in 2012 on 45 counts of sexual abuse and sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison. The scandal led to significant changes at Penn State, including the resignation of key officials and the imposition of severe NCAA sanctions on the university’s football program. The case also resulted in settlements totaling over $100 million with the victims. The fallout from the scandal continues to influence policies regarding child protection and institutional accountability.
