In light of the sentencing that took place today, giving former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky 30-60 years in prison for a conviction of child molestation, the discussion should be opened: is it possible that Sandusky is innocent? He has stood by his position of innocence from the beginning of the investigation, even saying that he “know[s he] did not do these alleged disgusting acts.” Those who have come forward accusing Sandusky do stand to gain financially by suing Penn State, but that aside, what else could allow this to happen to an innocent man? When men are friendly, involved and active in the development of youth they can set themselves up as targets for accusations. Should men be afraid to be active in helping the youth of their communities? In 1995, an incident involving Jerry Sandusky and a boy in a locker room had both the alleged victim and the victim’s mother “confused” as to what had taken place. They were unsure if Sandusky’s behavior had crossed any lines, and investigator Jerry Lauro, the caseworker assigned to the incident by the Department of Public Welfare in Harrisburg, thought that the incident fell into a “gray” area concerning “boundary issues.” The boy was then evaluated by a counsellor named John Seasock, who concluded, “There seems to be no incident which could be termed as sexual abuse, nor did there appear to be any sequential pattern of logic and behavior which is usually consistent with adults who have difficulty with sexual abuse of children.” Seasock didn’t think Sandusky was grooming the boy for future sexual assult. Someone, he concluded, should talk to Sandusky about how to “stay out of such gray area situations in the future.” It is possible that many men accused of sexual misconduct toward minors are falsely accused, not because of menacing children who seek to ruin the adult’s reputation, but rather because of a misinterpretation of the situation by those in authority. Those who genuinely care for children will show affection and offer help to those kids. This is where we enter into a gray area. When does the affection go too far?

Links

1. http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2012/09/24/120924crat_atlarge_gladwell#ixzz28pZIQLX8
2. http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2012/09/24/120924crat_atlarge_gladwell?currentPage=4
3. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2012/10/09/jerry-sandusky-i-know-i-did-not-do-these-alleged-disgusting-acts/