Sex abuse scandals in sports likely to continue growing
Childhood sex abuse is the worst of any scandal in sports -- and it only figures to grow. (AP photos)
This is a different kind of scandal in sports. There are victims.
Steroids have exposed cheaters and diminished statistical achievements. Drugs and alcohol have ruined careers and knocked heroes off of pedestals. Recruiting scandals and academic fraud have reaffirmed the lost mission of college athletics.
But predators who molest young athletes — they ruin lives and cripple souls. It’s not about somebody trying to gain an advantage on the field or losing their moral compass. It’s about never having the compass. It’s being morally bankrupt. That makes this latest scandal to hit sports the scariest of them all.
What does it say when over 400 Penn State football players, rather than merely focusing on the 52 alleged counts of sexual abuse in the Jerry Sandusky child molestation case, seem more concerned about signing a letter in support of former coach Joe Paterno, who was fired amid perceptions that he did not do enough to stop his former assistant coach?
Heath Evans and his wife, Beth Ann, started foundation to help childhood sex abuse victims and their families. (HeathEvans.org)
“Their loyalty has become delusional,” former NFL fullback Heath Evans said. “Loyalty has crippled people’s judgment.”
Evans retired in August following a 10-year career, most recently with the New Orleans Saints (whom the Falcons play Monday night). He now runs the Heath Evans Foundation, which benefits victims and their families of child sexual abuse. Evans’ wife, Beth Ann, was a victim of abuse when she was in the third grade.
The foundation now has over 100 in active counseling and has
AAU fired president Bobby Dodd after allegations he molested two boys in the 1980s. (ESPN)
seen a recent surge in people finally coming forward about past abuse, likely in part because of several high-profile stories, including Sandusky, former Syracuse basketball assistant Bernie Fine, former AAU president Bobby Dodd (no relation to the former Georgia Tech coach) and long-time Philadelphia sports columnist Bill Conlin.
Evans said victims were slow to start contacting his foundation when it started in 2006 because, “People don’t want to talk about it. Ninety percent of the time victims know their predator, and they’re discouraged from speaking up.”
It’s happening more now. Brace yourself. More stories likely are coming.
Philadelphia columnist Bill Conlin retired after allegations he molested three girls, one boy, ages 7 to 12, in 1970s. (AP photo)
Two of the biggest college athletic programs in the nation – Penn State football and Syracuse basketball – have had major abuse scandals. Logic screams they are not alone.
“I think we’ll see more,” Evans said. “The good thing about what’s going on now with this situation is we’re turning garbage into gold. We’re bringing predators to justice.
“It can’t just be a coincidence that two big programs like this have had this come out. People are looking at this right now and trying to work up the courage to tell somebody about what happened to them. But some are thinking, ‘Well, there’s a statute of limitations [on legal charges] — nothing can happen to [the perpetrator]. The statute of limitations should never run out on sexual abuse. It stays with the victim. It’s like emotional cancer.”
Evans calls sexual abuse “an epidemic.” One out of every four girls and one out of every six males are victim of sexual abuse before the age of 18. Many of those cases occur in youth sports.
A presentation on the “Physical and Sexual Abuse in Sport” in Canada in 1999, quoting the U.S. Olympic Committee’s John Mair, said among those most at risk for abuse are young athletes “who take frequent trips or relocate frequently to be near coaches or authority figures.”
The report referenced a 1995 report from the University of Winnipeg that revealed 21.8 percent of athletes surveyed said they had sexual intercourse with “authority figures.” Of those athletes, 8.5 percent said it was forced, 20 percent said it happened when they were under 16.
Emotions fuel major college athletics. That causes some people to lose perspective. Evans said of the Sandusky/Penn State story, “The abuse and the cover-up didn’t surprise me at all. Joe Paterno being in the middle of it surprised me because of what we knew about his reputation. But if he had any concerns or just an inkling of what the grand jury report said, he was wrong [for not doing more].”
When accusations of Fine’s abuse of two former Syracuse ball boys came to light, coach Jim Boeheim initially accused the alleged victims of lying and extortion: “That’s what this is about. Money.” (Boeheim later backed off those comments.)
Evans’ response, “Those comments were a slap in the face for all victims.”
Chances are, we’ll be hearing from more of them.
You can help support the Heath Evans Foundation and win a trip for four, including tickets, airfare and accommodations, to the BCS championship game between LSU and Alabama. Go to HeathEvans.org for details.
By Jeff Schultz
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135 comments Add your comment
Belcher
December 22nd, 2011
5:26 pm
Just make certain they’re put into general population in prison! Talk aout justice!!
Smoove Bee
December 22nd, 2011
5:32 pm
no … read the article Mr. Charlie … then try an honest comment on the story … you clearly did not read the article (I am assuming that it wasn’t an issue with comprehending what you read.)
Me
December 22nd, 2011
6:15 pm
One out of six boys and one out of four girls molested as kids. I believe it. We live in a sick society full of sick people. I am a straight and masculine male, but was molested by my best friend’s older brother when I was 13 (he was 18) over 40 years ago. He was 6′4″ and I was about 4′8″ at the time by the way, very small for my age then. It didn’t “scar me for life” or anything but I can tell you that it can confuse a boy at that age. The guy today is living in Atlanta and is clearly a homosexual,but has been married to the same woman for decades (marriage of convenience). From the little I know of him now, it appears he still likes young males from what I’ve seen on his FB page. He gushes about certain ones on those talent shows, has little nickname for them. Still sick, no surprise.
Donna P.
December 22nd, 2011
6:15 pm
The problem is our society has become jaded when these allegations come to light. In the past, some of the so-called victims have been liars in seek of money or the spot light. I don’t know what happened in these cases mentioned, I want to leave it up to the courts to decide these mens’ fates based on FACTS. I do feel sorry for victims of sexual abuse.
Bubba
December 22nd, 2011
6:26 pm
Penn State = Perv State. We all know that now.
country
December 22nd, 2011
6:37 pm
the reason for all this discussion going on now is that we have gotten away from our constition which in fact declares the need for a speedy trial….that comes from God Himself. Ecclesiates 8:11…if it is not executed quikcly…the hearts of men are given to do evil… v v
12/22/2011 Evening Edition | collegefootballnewswire.com
December 22nd, 2011
6:50 pm
[...] Predicts 10 SEC Players In The First Round Terry Bowden is Akron’s New Head Coach Sex Abuse Scandals In Sports Likely To Continue Growing 5 Recruits That Will Turn The Gators Around In 2012 Whats Next For The Buckeyes? One Last [...]
JSS
December 22nd, 2011
6:57 pm
Name the study? Not one study done since chemical or physical castration was tried has proven to work on pedophiles. It works on “sex offenders.” Pedophiles are power abusers, it has so little with the ability to use a pieces or gonads of flesh and hormones to commit the act.
Regarding the most infamous case of castration in Virginia of James Jenkins:
Quote: Mario J.P. Dennis, clinical director at the treatment center, said Jenkins had made marked progress but still needs to be confined for treatment.
“Castration does not completely erase sexual arousal or function,” Dennis said. “It doesn’t completely obliterate arousal, drive or the ability to commit a sex act.”
Simple minded people always look for simple solutions, look all of the money wasted on military style boot camps for prisoners… Take that “fool!”
Big Buck
December 22nd, 2011
7:00 pm
@UGABugKiller
You got issues! Hanging from a tree? What country you think this is? Stupid name too.
2010 NATIONAL CHAMPS
December 22nd, 2011
7:02 pm
Proud of you Mr. Evans for your foundation, War Eagle…
bamaguy
December 22nd, 2011
7:03 pm
This reminds me of the catholic clergy scandal. There are two separate “crimes”. The first are the crimes of the individuals who molested the children. They will be judged as individuals. The second, and completely different crime is the one of the institution who cared more about maintaining its public image than protecting children. While institutions can’t be sent to prison, they can be sued. When this is all over Penn State may not be able to afford a football coach.
Big Buck
December 22nd, 2011
7:04 pm
Nowadays with nobody taking responsibiliy for their actions, always wanting everything for nothing, hard to tell what direction this country is headed in. This guys still have their chance to prove their innocent, and if they end up guilty in the end, then they will be punished accordingly like any other in that position. Running your stupid mouth about you want to do this and that to someone is showing your ignorance especially considering you and none of us even know what really happened up there. So I speak for all here when I say shut ur pie hole UGABugkiller.
Call it like it is..
December 22nd, 2011
7:06 pm
If an older woman is with a young man. she is called a “Cougar”… Then, an older man is with a young man, is called a “Nittany Lion.”
Cindy Lou
December 22nd, 2011
7:06 pm
This whole story is ugly.
bamaguy
December 22nd, 2011
7:10 pm
Unfortunately, if these two individuals at Penn State and Syracuse had been a chemistry professor and a janitor this would not even be in the news.
DSM
December 22nd, 2011
7:11 pm
Chemical Castration does work, look up the drug triptorelin in it’s use for treating paraphilias… the problem is the ethics involved
Some people don't understand irony...
December 22nd, 2011
7:19 pm
UGABugKiller
December 22nd, 2011
2:47 pm
I am a man who loves the Constitution, and I believe in due process. But these men aren’t innocent. And the only thing I want to do is find them, grab them, find a tall oak tree and see them dangle from the tallest, strongest branch until they’ve taken their last, pitiful breath.
—
JSS
December 22nd, 2011
7:32 pm
You folks complain the about feeding poor children and the indigent elderly. And your going to in a realistic view offer up chemical castration using Triptorelin which has to be taken with “strict” doctors supervision? Seriously, and ask prison guards how much they are looking forward to looking after insomniac prisoners created by better medical science? Ask any prostrate cancer patient why they hate that drug?
Paul in NH
December 22nd, 2011
7:34 pm
Jeff – you certainly picked a difficult blog subject for the beginning of Hanukkah. Unfortunately, I don’t doubt that we’ll be reading more stories about abuse of minors (whether male or female) by coaches and similar authority figures (usually male). The Sandusky case is just the latest (and to my mind worst) in an ongoing series.
oldbird
December 22nd, 2011
7:45 pm
Mr. Chalie, I am a UGA grad and I find your comment tasteless and tactless.
JSS
December 22nd, 2011
7:46 pm
@ Paul in NH…
This Sandusky case is very bad… Still, it does not touch the US Figure Skating scandal… That one brought down the whole hierarchy of American skating. Have you ever read Bob Shoop’s “Sexual Exploitation in Schools?”
DSM
December 22nd, 2011
8:03 pm
You asked for a study drug that is effective in treating paraphilias… Strict supervision? not that big of a deal. It requires an injection every 4-12 wks. I would assume that cancer patients hate most of the drugs they take, since they all come with pretty nasty side effects.
doggoneit
December 22nd, 2011
8:12 pm
Old people still don’t get it! They never looked at child molestation as a crime. They should shoot Sandusky in the pee pee then let him rot in hell with Kim Jong!
doggoneit
December 22nd, 2011
8:14 pm
sorry but thats just the way I feel about it!
JSS
December 22nd, 2011
8:21 pm
Most treatment professionals discount its use because it is too expensive to effective on a large scale. No state will pay for it… You do that realize that Georgia for example is already overwhelmed trying to treat prisoners who are in-firmed? They can’t adequately keep up with with giving the right drugs to sizable numbers of HIV+ patients and the aging diabetics that they have. So you want to add on top of that a drug which means sending more prisoners and those on parole to list (they can’t go to prison doctors) who is going to pay for those? More bureaucracy for the 2nd worst run agency in this State. So do you use Court fines, go ask the Pardons and Paroles how well that works?
Paul in NH
December 22nd, 2011
8:29 pm
@JSS
I haven’t read the Shoop book but I know that there are plenty of cases of sexual exploitation out there – it’s all about power. You mentioned the skating case but I think there have also been similar cases in women’s swimming and let’s not forget women’s college basketball.
JSS
December 22nd, 2011
8:37 pm
@ Paul in NH…
I’ve been saying the same about the power aspect since the first blog back before Paterno’s firing. Unfortunately, the usual suspects come in with the trying to tie pedophiles with homosexuality instead of that issue… The LSU case (women’s basketball) was just such a case…
Hit A Single
December 22nd, 2011
8:37 pm
It is a sickening situation, but I am afraid this crap has been going on in all areas of life for a long time and I mean way back in time. Now with the cable news, internet, facebook, and many more ways it is just hard to hide it anymore. No telling how many children have been abused over the last 200 years. But now maybe we can protect children and parents had better get their heads out of the sand and protect their kids.
Paul in NH
December 22nd, 2011
8:42 pm
@JSS
I read a couple of your posts about the power aspect and I agree that it is complicated, albeit nasty, issue. I’d forgotten about the LSU women’s b’ball case – I was thinking about the South Carolina one.
Paul in NH
December 22nd, 2011
8:43 pm
Hit a Single
You hit more than a single with your last post.
JSS
December 22nd, 2011
8:44 pm
@ Hit A Single…
Exactly and true…
JSS
December 22nd, 2011
8:51 pm
Yep… It is tip of the iceberg, that is the scary part of it… I just tend to come down more on the front end (how can we really protect kids and the weak & vulnerable who lured by the affection and attention aspects of pedophiles… The legal system can do its job, but that is going to require a lot of monetary resources. I’m sorry, but that is just not going to happen in the current political environment…
Paul in NH
December 22nd, 2011
8:57 pm
Prevention is way more important than anything else in this area.
phil
December 22nd, 2011
9:18 pm
Jeff:
Don’t just assume Tech should’ve whipped Mercer.
Bob Hoffman has something defensively this season, as you’ve just found out. They took Seton Hall to OT in Jersey on Sunday. The Bears can play for a smaller school.
Look into em a little….
I never told
December 22nd, 2011
9:29 pm
Over 55 years ago I was molested by a family friend. He was in his 30’s. I was 10 years old. My parents let me go on a trip with this pervert and that was when it started. He would come over and ask my parents if he could take me to a movie. I attempted to make an excuse and acted like I didn’t want to go. But due to the fact he was always bringing gifts to everybody I was scolded for being selfish. My mom told me I should be his friend because he is so kind to everybody. And he was just lonely. I attempted to tell my older brother but he told me to stop being a brat. So I finally solved the problem myself. The pervert would always call before he came over. As soon as I heard he was comming over I would take off to a friends house or get a buddy to go to the neighborhood movie. He finnally gave up and I guess found another kid to molest. Last I heard he had moved to Flordia. I’m sure he’s dead by now and good riddance.
JSS
December 22nd, 2011
9:35 pm
@ Paul…
I concur!
Alice
December 22nd, 2011
9:59 pm
If there were one accuser I would say there is a chance one is innocent. However, in Scumdusky’s case, with 20+++ (not counting the victims who have not, will not come forth) the hand writing is on the wall in all caps GUILTY!!! I pray for al the victims. Anyone that had any idea or suspicion of this is guilty and committed a crime by not yelling it from the roof tops until justice was served. There would not Be so many victims.
Goober
December 22nd, 2011
10:00 pm
Remember that “dawgfan” is an idiot…
Goober
December 22nd, 2011
10:06 pm
Remember that dawgfan is in the same company of whom he passes judgement…
Larry
December 22nd, 2011
10:24 pm
Parents must always know where their children are and, as much as possible, everything about the individual(s) they are with…teachers, coaches, youth pastors, neighbors and their own relatives.
Certainly we can’t be overly protective, but we must hold ourselves somewhat responsible when we fail to protect our children due to adequate suspicion and Investigation. I have two daughters and I do everything imaginable to know as much as possible about anyone…ANYONE…they spend any appreciable time with. They are innocent, trusting and vulnerable; it is my job to protect them!
phil
December 22nd, 2011
10:25 pm
I never told – it may have been eons ago, but i’m sorry for what happened to you. My best.
phil
December 22nd, 2011
10:26 pm
Know where your kids are and who they’re with.
If it seems odd, it is.
Gene
December 22nd, 2011
10:30 pm
One positive effect of this issue ist that the administrators at Penn State have been charged and will hopefully spend some time in jail. This might make people in positions of authority act rather than stick their heads in the sand. Sadly, it took the Penn State horror story to raise the awareness of that at Syracuse and elsewhere. This is not Afghanistan, and we don’t need to mutilate or stone these criminals. Just put them in jail and keep them there.
Whatever happened to Chip Towers
December 22nd, 2011
10:47 pm
Mr Bug Killer are you speaking from personal experience when you say it is better to be murdered than raped? Murder is permanent and final while rape or molestation is bad it in no way compares to being murdered even if you have bad memories for a long time or the rest of your life. Put yourself in an alley with a bruiser and he gives you the choice of a few minutes of pain and suffering or having your throat cut. I am sure you would change your outlook if the situation arose. I know your intentions are noble but I disagree on which is worse. Give me liberty or give me death. I will choose liberty everytime. I also don’t agree with life imprisonment. Three to five in solitary confinement is plenty for most crimes. Anything worse should be capital punishment. No need to support someone for the rest of their life when they cannot live in society without doing awful crimes.
Whatever happened to Chip Towers
December 22nd, 2011
10:50 pm
Off the subject for a moment but why does Chip put a negative headline on his blog and leave it. He is making a living covering UGA so why does he feel it necessary to try to make them look bad? Just wondering.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 22nd, 2011
10:53 pm
HA HA
Colt’s backup playing better vs Houston than CHOKE’S 50 QB Rating
Rocket
December 23rd, 2011
12:54 am
They are all Democrats and closet homosexuals… bank on it.
JSS
December 23rd, 2011
12:58 am
@ 12:54…
Yeah, like the great Ted Haggard!!! Geez…
Realistic
December 23rd, 2011
4:55 am
Molistation, just like any other crime is a big issue. Stuff happens. Its as bad as pople who run Wall Street that has, pretty much, ruined our ecomony. Let jut not ‘band wagon’ this issue just because its the topic now. Let’s not forget about all other crimes and lessen the grip on robery, bulgary and even our city and state laws that alow politicians get away with stuffing silly bills and laws down our throats.
Yes molistation is a big issue, bur please be careful not to overlook or forget about the other victums and what they go through every single day.
legionaire
December 23rd, 2011
6:39 am
Sandusky was taking showers with teenage boys. Is that not proof that he is a pervert. If Paterno and the AD had given a damn about the kid who was raped in the shower, they would have reported Sandusky to the Sheriff’s Dept making sure of a police report. They did nothing and now you have morons signing a letter of support for Paterno.What if it had been one of their younger brothers or sons that Sandusky attacked? 10 guys so far and counting. There will be more.