As I watch the news streaming from Penn State University, I continue to be saddened, bewildered and sickened by a story that is far greater than any legacy, football team, or learning institution.
This story is not about Joe Paterno or his football team.
It is not about recovering the reputation of a university.
It is certainly not about the uninformed few who were led by their immaturity, to protest and riot for the wrong cause.
The real story lies within eight young boys, who were victimized and robbed of their youth at the hands of a child molester.
As a mother of three boys, this story shakes me to the core and it has once again reminded me that my children are surrounded by real and unfortunate dangers every single day.
To feel this way is paralyzing.
It is a natural instinct to protect our children. It is ingrained in us from the very first moment that we hold them in our arms.
But as our children grow up, we are not always able to be with them and we are forced to entrust them to other adults.
Because it is estimated that 80 percent of all child molestation cases involve someone the child knows, we have a responsibility to speak to our children and to educate them on all possible dangers.
I have spoken to my children individually, privately, and in an age appropriate manner, about the real dangers of child molestation.
We have discussed appropriate and inappropriate touching, who is allowed to touch them, and how they are to handle a situation if someone ever crosses that line.
We have also discussed the moral and ethical responsibilities that are surrounding this particular case.
This is not a comfortable topic for any parent to have with their children, but the dangers are real and the consequences are everlasting.
These eight young men are still being victimized today by having to relive their hell, as their story makes headlines throughout the world.
My hope is that their story will raise awareness and bring us one step closer to preventing this heinous crime.
My thoughts and prayers are with these victims and their families.
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