Hi, Isabelle... :seeya:
When I first heard the story over a week ago, I didn't fully understand why Paterno should resign. But after reading
the entire Grand Jury Report, last Monday morning, I discovered that Paterno did play a very large part in the child
abuse scandal at Penn State.... as did so many others, all the way to the top.
As McC's immediate supervisor, Paterno did not report the incident to the necessary people,
he did not even report the incident as it was told to him by McC. Paterno knew what was
required of him to do, and he told McC he didn't want to know all the details. So, since there
was not a written report or statement by McC, Paterno told his supervisor the way he wanted to.
A criminal act was committed by Sandusky. Paterno knew about the crime, but he minimized it.
He then covered up for Sandusky, thus enabling Sandusky to continue sexually abusing young boys.
As a nurse, I am mandated to report all suspected cases of domestic violence and child abuse. There is a form
that must be filled out and on the back is a list of all people who are mandated by law to report such an incident.
Of course, teachers, coaches, counselors, principals, nurses, doctors... all school & medical personnel ....
are included in the list of persons that are required by law... mandated by law!... to report child abuse.
At the time McC saw Sandusky with a young boy in the shower, he should have immediately stopped it and helped the young victim.
Immediately after that, McC should have filled out the form within 48 hours, kept a copy for himself, and then given
a copy to his immediate supervisor, Joe Paterno, and
his immediate supervisor and on up the chain of command.
A phone call should have been made to the 800 number for Childline. A copy of the written report goes to Dept of Public Welfare.... also within 48 hours.
IOW: It is against the law if a written report to DPW and a phone call to Childline is
not submitted or if nothing is done or is minimized.
It is not up to anyone to determine whether it is serious enough to give a written report or to make the phone call! It
must be done!!!
From § 42.42. PA Code for Suspected Child AbuseMandated Reporting Requirements.
".... staff members of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility or agency, and who,
in the course of their employment, occupation or practice of their profession, come into contact with children
shall immediately notify the person in charge of the institution, school facility or agency or the designated agent
of the person in charge when they have reasonable cause to suspect on the basis of their professional or other
training or experience, that a child coming before them in their professional or official capacity is a victim of child abuse.... "
It then goes on to instruct how and to whom written reports and phone calls are made.
And gives all the information that must be included in the written report.
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter42/s42.42.html
