[Tribune7]

But, I have to say that had someone told me that a full-grown man was sexually abusing little kids in the shower of my athletic facility, I would have been considerable more pro-active.

I wouldn't take someone's word for it -- even if I didn't think they were lying. I'd want it investigated & would report it. If I trusted the people to whom I reported it -- which should go without saying -- and they came back saying "it was no big deal, the kid didn't see what he thought" I'm not sure I'd do much more.

There was a lot of speculation and assumption that Paterno knew of the 1999 matter which was reported to police and dismissed. It appears now that he didn't.

[hampdenkid]

I agree with you. I guess the question is; Did those to whom JoPa reported the situation come back and say “it was no big deal, the kid didn’t see what he thought”?

[Scoutmaster]

I wouldn't take someone's word for it -- even if I didn't think they were lying. I'd want it investigated & would report it.

If my count is correct, eighteen states require all adults to report any credible allegation of child sexual abuse to law enforcement or child protective services. Pennsylvania was not one of them in 2002 and is not one now (but legislation of some form is pending). That's not reporting it to the people you 'report to,' but to people who actually deal with this.

Why would you think that the people you report to in an environment that doesn't normally include children are equipped to investigate child sexual abuse?

Are they also equipped to investigate espionage? Terrorism? Possible kidnappings?