Pittsburgh Action Against Rape Speaks Out About Sexual Predators
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Many people were angered and appalled by the alleged actions of former Penn State Coach Jerry Sandusky.
On the surface Sandusky appeared to be a pillar of the community, but Alison Hall with Pittsburgh Action Against Rape believes he was the typical alleged sexual predator.
"He had a perfect situation in that starting his foundation that gave him access to a lot of children," Hall said.
Sandusky founded The Second Mile, an organization that helps at risk youth develop self-esteem. But according to the grand jury presentment, he preyed on the children who were most vulnerable to his sexual advances.
First there's manipulation, lavishing them with gifts and gaining their trust before sexually abusing them.
"In 90 percent of the cases with children it's people they know and trust and a lot of cases it's someone the family trusts, predators gain the respect and trust of family members and that's what makes the crime so heinous," Hall said.
Since he was a well-known former coach, Sandusky had access to Penn State facilities like the Lasch Football Building, where officials said he was caught naked in the shower with a child. As a result of this case, Hall hopes more people will begin noticing signs of a sexual predator.
"When you find an adult that's really, really paying a lot of attention to your child, maybe in a group setting that person is paying more attention to one child not necessarily your child but a child, lavishing that child with gifts," Hall said.
Hall said Sandusky is far from an isolated case. She said 500 children are sexually abused every year in Allegheny County. She believes it's time for adults to intervene and protect the children.
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