Boy Scouts' "Perversion Files" Made Public

Last week, the Oregon Supreme Court ordered for the release of the Boy Scouts of America's "Perversion Files" covering from 1965 to 1985.  What these files contain are reports on 1,247 incidents with leaders and volunteers being banned after being accused of sexual or inappropriate behavior.  The release is one of the outcomes of a 2010 case where a Scoutmaster had been convicted of sexually abusing a scout.

The Boy Scouts have opposed the release of the files, claiming that even though the identities of victims had been removed, there's still a possibility of harm that could come to them from the release.  They've also expressed a fear that others may be discouraged from reporting, knowing that the report would eventually become public, having only recently enacted a policy requiring mandatory reporting to police in 2011.

These claims are actually the opposite of what is most likely to happen.  In truth, the secrecy of a reporting process often fuels mistrust and isolation, leading victims to believe nothing is actually being done.  You see it even with bullying.  Transparency encourages reporting.  It builds a trust in the system when victims can see something is actually being done.  It gives them confidence that reporting isn't for nothing when they can see a punishment enforced.  No matter how strong an investigation nor how severe a punishment, if it happens in the shadows then victims and future victims will feel abandoned.

Often the argument is made that a low-key investigation protects the innocence of the accused, but that must be weighed against the potential of future harm.  Should rape victims be left to feel alone, unaware if justice has been served?  That's exactly how Keith Early, a scout who had been abused by his Scoutmaster felt.  Victims are already isolated because of how uncomfortable people are with sexual abuse.  At least let them see there are others trying to help.

Erin's Law: Requiring Schools to Teach Prevention

Erin's Law, already adopted in some states and being considered in more, would require school districts to teach children, parents, and their staff about warning signs for sexual abuse.  In Michigan, it is a collection of bills which would set in place a task force which would make recommendations for school boards and is receiving bi-partisan support.  Named for Erin Merryn, a survivor of sexual abuse by a family member when she was in high school, her advocacy has lead to the law already being adopted in Illinois, Indiana, Maine, and Missouri.

Some would question the need for this kind of education in schools though.  Opposition would argue that these are lessons that should be taught by parents, especially with younger children, or that teachers should be focusing on "more important" things to help a child find a career.

But the reason why Erin's Law is so important is because a liassez-fiare attitude toward prevention education hasn't helped.  1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men are sexually abused in their lifetime, most even before they turn 18 years old.  Any sexual assault is too many, but these statistics are staggering.  Not only can prevention education equip people with skills so they won't become victims, but it will also equip people with knowledge to reduce perpetrator behavior, which is ultimately where any rape begins.

Another reason for the law is some parents may not know how to approach talking to their children about sexual abuse.  Rape is an uncomfortable topic for a lot of people and requires a finesse with any audience, let alone kids.  Having trained staff in schools will help to make sure the children learn about sexual abuse in an appropriate way so then can be safe.  It also helps to ensure children receive the correct information on sexual assault, reducing their chances of being victimized.

Another advantage to having prevention skills being taught in schools is most parents probably wouldn't take their child to a sexual assault center for a presentation.  Instead, trained experts can come to the schools and talk to the children there, making it less uncomfortable for the child.  These professionals have experience with discussing sexual abuse and can make sure it is presented in a way the child understands without being frightened, just like our Prevention Coordinator at the Sexual Assault Center of Child and Family Services.

Erin's Law doesn't seem to have much opposition from legislators and will hopefully become a law in Michigan, making our schools an even safer place for our children.  If you'd like more information on what kind of sessions are available for children, contact Ash Christians, our Prevention Coordinator, at achristians@sac-saginaw.org.

The Price of Ignorance

This past Thursday saw the release of Penn State's independent inquiry on the handling of allegations against Jerry Sandusky, who was convicted last month of 47 charges relating to sexual assault.  You can read all 267 pages of the report here but the main take-away is former Athletic Director Tim Curley, ex-Vice President Gary Schultz, former president Graham Spencer, and former head football coach Joe Paterno conspired together to conceal the allegations against Jerry Sandusky.  The report has left a maelstrom of controversy and debate surrounding the university.

Attorneys for Curley and Schultz claim the report is lopsided and have continued to state they acted appropriately on what they knew.  However, the report cites among over 430 interviews that a janitor who witnessed one of the rapes said he was afraid to report it to police because it meant he would have been fired.  He said "football runs this university" and if Joe Paterno, who Jerry Sandusky worked under, didn't like someone, they would be gone.

The report also shows how these four top officials made no effort to mention a criminal investigation into Sandusky to the Board of Trustees from charges in 1998 and 1999.  None of these four, Paterno even having an office just feet from Sandusky's, made an effort to discuss Sandusky's conduct with him nor prevent him from bringing children onto campus.

Whether or not these men knew the extent of the truth is still up for debate, but what is evident is they did not want to know.  Joe Paterno passed away in January, leaving his family to issue a response to the report, but before passing had admitted that he wished he had done more.  His family defended him, saying he reported what he had been told and had left it up to higher administration to "do their jobs."  If true, this is still concerning considering there was no follow-through by him on an employee under his supervision.  One would think it reasonable that if a supervisor had an employee under an investigation, they would have an interest in the outcome of that investigation.  This "pass the buck" attitude shows that even if Paterno didn't know what was going on with Sandusky, he didn't want to know.

So then what is the price of ignorance?  Eight known victims of sexual abuse, the tarnished career of a hall of fame coach, pending charges against the university's top officials, and an immeasurable amount of damage to Penn State University's reputation among others.  All of this occurred because people decided they would be happier not knowing.  That's why victims need to be believed, regardless of a person's standing, reputation, or negative publicity.  How much of this could have been avoided if only people had believed the victims and were willing to put them ahead of a reputation?

Why is Sexual Abuse Overlooked?

As the Jerry Sandusky trial continued this past week over allegations of child sexual abuse, it has fueled the discussion of how do tragedies like this go on without anyone saying anything, especially when there are indications that personnel with authority had suspicions of what was taking place.  The Catholic Church suffered a scandal that still plagues them years later where priests who were accused of sexual assault were simply relocated without a word of warning.  There are questions of how much coach Joe Paterno knew was going on with Jerry Sandusky at Penn State.  Recently, reports have surfaced of sexual abuse by multiple teachers at a school in New York, Horace Mann, with suspicion on whether or not the head of the school was aware.  When people are so outraged by child sexual abuse, why then does no one act in cases like these?

Part of the reason is because the offenders don't fit the "profile" or picture that most people have of a sexual predator.  To most people, a sexual predator is a scary man in a white van looking to lure you in with the promises of toys and candy.  People believe predators are the outcasts of society, unable to work a decent job and so anti-social that there isn't a possibility they could be friends with one.  They're someone who easily stands out and we can point to for children to warn them of.  But as stated in previous blog entries, that is far from the case.

Why then do people still believe the "profile?"  It's because it helps us feel safe.  When bad people don't look like us it's easier to recognize them.  It's not comfortable to feel like anyone around you could not be what they seem.  People don't want to believe the victim in these cases because it would mean the monsters have gotten through the walls.  It would mean it could just as well have happened to us.  So instead, victims are shunned and blamed, not by everyone, but even if one person does it's too many.  You can find families that are divided when allegations surface against another family member.  The victims in the Jerry Sandusky trial have been accused of making false allegations for money.  Instead of listening to a victim people build more walls between us and them, except nobody realizes they are blocking themselves in with a sexual predator.

Life After Sexual Assault

Often times when discussing sexual assault, we become so focused on the trauma the victim has suffered that we forget to mention there is a life afterward.  There has been no clearer of a reminder than that of Elizabeth Smart.

For many people, the name Elizabeth Smart will sound familiar.  She had been kidnapped from her home in 2002 and spent the following nine months being sexually assaulted by her kidnapper, Brian David Mitchell, while constantly on the move.  She had been rescued in 2003 but her case wasn't able to come to a close until 2010 when Mitchel was sentenced to a life sentence along with his wife, who was sentenced to 15 years.

Smart has gone on to be an advocate and an activist for abused children, speaking out on a national level against sexual abuse and continuing to live her life.  Just over one week ago, she married Matthew Gilmour in Hawaii, having an unannounced ceremony to avoid unwanted attention.

The important message to take from this is that she is continuing to live her life.  There is a misconception that victims are forever damaged, never able to recuperate from the trauma.  There are many people out there like Elizabeth Smart, people who are able to heal from the trauma.  That's why it's important that when we look to bring attention to sexual assault, for all the harm it causes, we can't forget to celebrate all those who have healed and overcome.

Everybody has their own way of healing and there is help out there for them.  The Sexual Assault Center of Child and Family Services is committed to help survivors through prevention, advocacy, and therapy.  If you'd like to know more or are looking for help with sexual assault, please call us at 989-790-9118.

How Sexual Abuse has Affected Youth Sports

It's been a while since the media has covered the allegations against Jerry Sandusky but the passing of Joe Paterno has also reminded us of the controversy.  As the attention fades away, replaced by the next controversy, we can't forget the lessons that can be learned from it.  I've often heard comments like "the world is crazy now" and "this stuff never used to happen."  Sexual abuse in coaching is nothing new.  Many successful athletes like Margaret Hoelzer, Theo Fleury, and Sheldon Kennedy have all come forward and revealed a history of abuse.  So what has changed?  Why are we hearing about it now?

Two important things have changed.  The first is that victims are treated differently.  Before, there was a fear for survivors that they would be blamed, ridiculed, or even not believed.  Sadly, those fears weren't unwarranted.  If sexual abuse didn't fit the text book ideal of what rape was, then it must not have happened.  The common belief was victims were always women and abusers were always creepy loners with vans and mustaches.  These predators were supposed to be someone nobody liked or got along with because they were evil to the very core.  Someone you just knew was bad.  Unfortunately that couldn't be further from the truth.  They are sometimes friends, neighbors, coaches, and family members.  They want to be liked.  That's how they get away with it.  Too many people are misled by believing "it couldn't be your neighbor of 15 years; he always mows your lawn when you're on vacation and is just a nice guy" or "it couldn't be the little league coach; he's always so good with the kids".

Then there's the belief that things like that don't happen here.  Sexual assault is a city problem.  That's what people in Hinsdale, IL thought before Robert Mueller, a former basketball coach, was convicted of having sexual relationships with two female students.  The idea of "we're a small community and we don't have those kind of people here" actually attracts sexual predators.  Just as offenders pay attention to which states have the easier laws for their sex offender registry, they also pay attention to what communities they will likely be noticed in.  It is the very definition of ignorance is bliss.

But that brings us to the second thing that has changed.  People are more open to victims now.  They are willing to believe that anyone is could be an abuser.  The more open and understanding we become, the better our chances are of preventing sexual abuse.  Survivors feel safer to come forward and predators can be stopped before a controversy breaks with a long list of victims.

We can also accept the idea that sexual abuse can happen here, but we're not going to let it.   The first step to combat sexual abuse in sports is to have policies and trainings in place on mandatory reporting and proper conduct.  A coach wrapping his arms around a batter to help practice a swing may have completely innocent intentions, but how does it appear?  It is something some abusers have used to blur boundaries with children.  It's not always safe to just rely on people having common sense either.  We develop common sense from life experiences, and those experiences come with mistakes.  By having trainings for coaches, those mistakes can be avoided.  By parents and coaches watching each other, we can all work together to protect children.

If you have questions or are interested in any trainings for teaching or coaching staff, sexual assault and harassment policies, please contact Ash Christians at the Sexual Assault Center of Child and Family Services by calling 989-790-7500 ext. 226 or emailing achristians@sac-saginaw.org.

FBI Updates Their Definition of Rape After Over 80 Years

For many states, the Federal government has often been looked to set the standards, especially when it comes to legal definitions of crimes.  That's why it became a big deal recently when the FBI decided to rewrite their definition of rape.  When was the last definition written?  1927.

So what changed?  For starters, the original definition defined rape only as a crime against a female.  Males have not been included in the definition since the law was written, even though 2.78 million men in the United States have been sexually assaulted or raped.  That means 1 in 33 men will experience an attempted or completed sexual assault in their life.  For many of these victims, as seen with the Jerry Sandusky allegations, the victimization occurred when they were a child or teenager, but that doesn't mean an adult male can't be the victim of rape.

The sexual assault of men is grossly under-reported for many reasons.  Men and boys are told they are supposed to be tough, strong, and able to defend themselves.  They're afraid of being seen as weak or helpless if they admit to being a victim.  Their sexuality may even become an issue or possibly questioned.  There's also a fear of whether or not they'd be taken seriously if they report.  The truth is rape is rape, regardless of a victim's gender or age.

The other significant change to the definition is the previous requirement of resistance by the victim.  Before the change, if a woman did not physically resist the assailant, it would not be considered rape.  The new update brings the definition up to speed with other sexual assault laws in understanding the role coercion plays in rape.  If a victim is threatened, drugged, or drunk they are less likely to be able to physically resist a rapist, but fear alone can be enough for a victim.  A victim may fear harm to her/himself or to someone else they care about if they resist.

By updating their definition of rape, the FBI has taken a stand for victim's rights.  They have shown a more contemporary view of sexual assault and can set a standard for other laws on sexual assault which aren't up to date.

New Charges Against Former Penn State Jerry Sandusky Shed Light on Grooming

Former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky has been arrested with two more victims stepping forward with allegations, bringing the total to 10 victims. Like many cases involving sexual assault, there are arguments and opinions on both sides. Some people are wondering why these two waited so long to come forward. Is it money they are after? Are they just jumping on the bandwagon? These types of questions are common in cases involving high profile figures, the kind of diatribe used to discredit a victim and their experience. The truth is this can be one of the most stressful and terrifying decisions a victim can make. The details that have emerged from the allegations have painted a picture typical of many abusers who target children: the practice of “grooming.”

Grooming is a word often brought up but not usually explained. When a child has been groomed, not only is it difficult to tell their story but also have to deal with how they feel about their abuser. When many people think of child sexual abuse it is the idea of the creepy van hanging around a playground, waiting for the unsuspecting child to wander close enough to be snatched up and driven away. It’s this concept that has us teaching our children to not talk to strangers, to stay close, and to scream and holler if anyone tries to take them. But what if that person isn’t a stranger?

This is where grooming comes into play. The danger doesn’t come from a windowless van or odd strangers. The danger comes from those who your child trusts. It’s been reported that Sandusky would take the victims to football games, give them gifts, and even let them stay overnight at his house. The abuser doesn’t want to be scary; they want to be your child’s best friend. That’s how they keep the child from telling. No matter how much we teach our kids about good and bad touches it can’t measure up to the pressure they feel when their best friend wants to do something they know is wrong. It’s a slow process of gifts and attention, perhaps the appreciation the child has never had, with the abusers testing their boundaries every step of the way. First they have little secrets; that candy bar before dinner, a secret trip to a ballgame when they’re supposed to be in school. Then, when the abuser knows the child can keep a secret, they push the boundaries. Uncomfortable touches, pornography, and the like are all examples of an abuser trying to push the line a little further to get what they want. How can we expect a ten year old to be able to understand the manipulation that’s going on? How can we fault them when the nicest person they know starts hurting them and they are afraid to tell? Yet that is what grooming is all about. It’s taking the time to earn your child’s trust gradually so when the abuse begins, it’s subversive and they feel too guilty to tell anyone.

When new victims step forward with the courage to tell their story it’s not out of glory or greed, but for having the strength in knowing that they are no longer alone. They don’t have to be afraid anymore. They don’t have to carry the guilt. They can face their abuser together knowing the abuse wasn’t their fault.

If you’d like to know more about sexual abuse, grooming, or have any other questions, feel free to contact our Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator, Ash Christians, at achristians@sac-saginaw.org.