I understand that I am in the minority of America when I profess my support for former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, and that I am in the minority of students here at the Pennsylvania State University when I say I support the riots that took place last night in State College… I know I speak for many when I say I blame the media for Joe Paterno’s demise… Joe stood up for this university all his life, and I’m sure he will continue to do so. We stood up for Joe last night, and I know we will continue to do so.  [read the full article]

It is truly tragic that all of the positive impact that both Coach Joe Paterno and his ex-colleague Jerry Sandusky  had in improving the  lives of so many young people will now be inextricably entwined in this sordid drama.  But, none of that could possibly outweigh the shocking facts revealed in the 28 page Grand Jury report.  It is stomach turning.  In 2002 Joe Paterno was told that what appeared to be a 10-year-old boy was sexually assaulted in HIS Penn State showers by their ex-employee, Sandusky.  Had Paterno reached out to the police or taken stronger actions maybe the torment suffered by “Victim 1” assaulted 5 years later may have been spared.

Sadly Joe Paterno took what must have appeared to be the easiest path at the time – to look the other way.  That’s why this story rings so clearly within the workplace bullying community.

If large corporate organizations can turn a blind eye toward the depraved sexual violation of our most vulnerable citizens – children – can we really expect them to break that tradition in order to protect their adult victim/targets subjected to psychological harassment by the managers they hire?

I’d love to hear your thoughts…