Penn State Sex Scandal: First Victim Deemed a 'Hero' by His Psychologist
The first victim to notify authorities of Jerry Sandusky’s sexual predation is deemed a hero by the victim’s psychologist, Michael Gillum.
“Had this individual not come forward, this investigation may not have happened. Who knows how many people he saved from abuse?” said Gillum to USA Today.
Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant football coach to renowned head coach Joe Paterno at Penn State, is charged with the sexual assault of eight boys over a period of 15 years from 1994 to 2009.
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Victim No. 1 is not the first youth to be molested by Sandusky, but he is the first victim to bring Sandusky’s misdoings to the attention of authorities.
“He's a hero. That is the truth,” Gillum said of the victim, saying he displayed a great amount of “courage” for standing up to Sandusky.
He is suspected to have abused the boys during his participation in The Second Mile, a statewide nonprofit organization that helps at-risk kids. Sandusky founded The Second Mile in 1977.
Victim No. 1 began participating in The Second Mile at age 12 or 13, and claims to have been sexually abused by Sandusky from 2005 or 2006 to 2009.
Sandusky allegedly assaulted the boy while he spent the night in the basement of Sandusky’s home. He also visited the victim at his school, calling him out of class for private conferences in his office.
According to CBS News, phone records show Sandusky called the home of the victim 188 times from January 2008 to July 2009.
Top officials Tim Curley, the athletic director, and Gary Schultz, vice president for finance and business, are also charged with perjury and failing to alert police of Sandusky’s sexual misdoings. The two stepped down from their posts at Penn State Sunday.
Curley and Schultz reportedly ignored rumors of Sandusky’s inappropriate behavior.
In March 2002, a graduate assistant at the university notified Paterno he witnessed Sandusky sexually assaulting a nude male victim in the locker room showers.
“As Coach Sandusky was retired from our coaching staff at the time, I referred the matter to university administrators,” said Paterno.
Curley and Schultz took no action after hearing of the assault, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly. Paterno is not a suspect in the case.
In a statement issued Sunday night, ex-coach Paterno said he is "deeply saddened" by the recent sexual assault scandal that rocked the state school’s pristine reputation.
“If this is true we were all fooled, along with scores of professionals trained in such things, and we grieve for the victims and their families. They are in our prayers,” Paterno said.
Paterno urged all Penn State students to not let the scandal shake their faith in the university.
“I understand that people are upset and angry," Paterno said. "But let's be fair and let the legal process unfold.”
