For two years, we’ve written extensively about Penn State, Jerry Sandusky and Joe Paterno. And in all that time since the child sex abuse scandal broke, there have been some stories we’ve overlooked and under-reported. Now is the time to change that.
Everyone wants to talk about Paterno, and it seems since he passed on, the yearn to discuss Joe Paterno has gotten even stronger. However, it’s time to take the spotlight off him. And instead talk about what Penn State is doing to try and right the wrongs of Sandusky.
How the PSU community is working to make sure that the atrocities committed during the Paterno regime do not happen again. In Happy Valley or anywhere else.
On Sept. 21st versus Kent State, Penn State held the third annual “Blue Out” game, and Penn St. senior Victoria Smith now leads a tradition that was started two years ago in the wake of the scandal breaking.
From the official website of Penn State
Smith is director of the One Heart Campaign, a student group centered around educating people on child sexual abuse prevention. The “Blue Out” is the club’s marquee event for the fall and has raised about $120,000 to date. Proceeds benefit the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape’s Vision of Hope fund, which is directly aimed at helping children.
“We are a group of students that really want to do something,” Smith said. “We want the Blue Out to be a tradition at Penn State — and we can continue to make a difference.”
For more information on the Blue Out or the One Heart Campaign, visit the group’s Facebook page.
Additionally, there is a movement to reform the Penn State Board of Trustees. Also, a group of Penn State alumni are collecting money for RAINN Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network through a Twitter campaign using the hashtag, #ProudPSUforRAINN. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted and needs help, visit RAINN’s online hotline or call 1-800-656-HOPE. Go to RAINN websites here and here
Defend a Child is another organization bringing awareness to this cause.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also an analyst for multiple news talk radio stations across the world; with regular weekly segments on NBC, CBS and Fox Sports Radio. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks) , Facebook and RSS feed