Can you give us an update on the Care House Golf Outing? How did it go and do you still need help in reaching your goal?

As an outsider, I hope that your community realizes what a strong leader you have in Beth Wheelock. It's all very nice to start a blog, and to organize other local leaders to contribute. BUT, it takes impressive strength of conviction to begin the project with the topic of child sexual abuse. Thanks Beth, because what you do in your county carries far beyond your county line. Vagilantes.com

Remember, if you report suspected abuse, be sure to follow up and make sure the problem was taken care of. Don't just report and forget. Call and find out the status!!! In the Sandusky case, there were numerous times the school was notified...The assistant coach who saw Sandusky with a child in the shower, the parent who was concerned because her child came home with wet hair, Paterno who also notified the board. So many missed opportunities to get this sicko before he got to more kids.

Beth, you and the great people you work with inspire us by your actions. This blog is a great idea, and an inspiration to many of us. I have simple policy, "Don't listen to idiots." I'm sure there are many many people reading this blog who are touched by your thoughts. You will never change the negative people and the idiots focus on the positive. I have been saying for months, I should look into being a "Big Brother", well I'm gonna post this and look up Rock Co Big Brother and Big Sister. Thanks for the motivation.

Why would we ever want to help our children? Or any of our domestic problems? We'd rather spend billions overseas helping people that have money and fund a military to serve them. Help our own? HAHAHAHA!!!!! Thats a good one. Why would we do that?

COMMENDATION & THANKS for launching this, "IT TAKES A COUNTY" blog, BETH WHEELOCK! I agree with your premise. There is so much of LIFE in ROCK COUNTY of which most of us are NOT aware. There is so much NEED in ROCK COUNTY of which most of us are NOT aware. There are so MANY thoughtful, caring, helpful people in ROCK COUNTY of which most of us are NOT aware. AND, I believe, there are MORE of those thoughtful, caring, helpful PEOPLE throughout ROCK COUNTY who will respond as they BECOME AWARE! TUSEN TAKK! (Norwegian = 1,000 thanks!) Here we go... John W. Eyster

..on topic here. Unfortunately, Jerry Sandusky got away with his behavior because his "coaching ablilty" somehow took precedent over the fact that he was a pedophile. It actually was painful to think that people were more concerned with producing a winning a football team than the safety of children. Children that are being abused come from all backgrounds and from every socioeconomic status. Living in a "well to do" neighborhood doesn't mean the child next door isn't being abused( regardless what some of the people posting on here think) . We, as a society, need to stop saying, "oh someone should have done something" and start saying "What can I do to stop this".

That may or may not be an accurate analysis of winterstinks. But maybe we could understand her better if she went into finer detail about her experiences here.

Would you be willing to do that, winterstinks?

I agree with Vonnie--most people here are very friendly--but with a user name like "winterstinks" and with an attitude of everyone being unfriendly I can see why folks would shy away---Dad always taught us to look for the common denominator and if it is you then your the problem. Good luck to wherever you go.

I think this blog is a GREAT idea. Definitely, reporting suspected abuse is going to be one of the best ways to stop it. Sigma40's idea is ridiculous. Most pedophiles are amazing con-artists from outside the family. And, the abused can be from poor, rich, single-child or multi-child households. Look at the large number of priests and other mentors who have been convicted in recent years.

PS - I moved here from Texas two years ago and have found everyone in this area to be very friendly. I love it here.

Sigma, They already had the kid(s), it is not the kids fault. We need to help these kids, not punish them by proxy. I agree the parents need a good swift kick, but there are ways to help the kids without giving to their parents. How about giving cereal, peanut butter, and bread to a school that serves breakfast? Buy kids size coats, hats, and mittens in the spring when they cost next to nothing and donate them to a school or ECHO in the fall.

Sigma...sounds like your autobiography ?

How do you help these kids? First their parents shouldnt have had them if they couldnt take care of them. Thats why we need to have permits to be able to have kids. Parents should have to take some psych tests. The way its set up now is a complete joke. A poor unstable person has a kid and we hand them money and health care, a house... and whatever they need. Have multiple kids and they are living in up. No one checks the welfare of he actual kids. Make the parents accountable. Welfare should be like probation...routine checkups, drug tests, and accessment of the parents lifestyle, spending habbits, and income. If they smoke... boot them off welfare. Test + for drugs...the boot. And so on...

Thank you very much for this important reporting.

I understand it is the failure of the courts to fully prosecute these criminals.
I just did not understand to what extent "serves" means.
I went to the website. That was pretty sparse on details. That is why I asked here.
I would always rather give stuff than money, and your wish list for CARE house is pretty minor stuff. I will drop off some of these things tomorrow. South Washington St. address?

Olderandornier:

Law enforcement and the district attorney's office work together to bring cases against these criminals. It's our job as responsible citizens to report our suspicions so authorities can build a stronger case.

---
As you might see in today's Gazette, and as is mentioned above, CARE House is where the children are interviewed. The interview is recorded and can be entered into evidence at trial. Representatives from Child Protective Services, law enforcement, and district attorney's office watch the interview from a different room, so they can make sure all their questions are answered.

If you'd like more information, visit our website: www.ywcarockcounty.org
-Beth

A 1994 National Institute of Health Survey of 453 pedophiles, conducted by Dr. Gene Abel, showed these criminals were collectively responsible for the molestation of more than 67,000 children.
------
If you are one of those caring people, why are we not locking them up and tossing out the key. Personally a quick death sentence is the answer, these types are hopeless anyway. Why do we let these types back out on the street?
-----

The YWCA CARE House serves an average of 150 abused or neglected local children every year.

What does this mean? Counseling I infer, but housing, clothing, rides to school???

Thanks for the comments! This is a stat from one of our CARE House Family Advocates. It's from 1994, but the numbers are still staggering.

A 1994 National Institute of Health Survey of 453 pedophiles, conducted by Dr. Gene Abel, showed these criminals were collectively responsible for the molestation of more than 67,000 children. That’s an average of 148 children per individual pedophile. Reporting one incident could save dozens of children from suffering. Remember: the child you save may be your own.

-Beth

Great first entry -- I love the idea of the collaboration between agencies.

I believe EVERYONE should consider themselves a mandatory reporter if they feel a child is in danger.

So many worthy causes, so little time. I wish I could volunteer for many different causes instead of only the one I do. Maybe after I retire. :-)

This is a great idea for a blog. Get people talking and thinking about it. It's easy to forget how many needs there are in the community as we go about our own lives.

hello again. welcome back(somewhat)
Thanks for all you do in your new venture.

winterstinks - Volunteer at the YWCA and make some new friends already!

Yeah, ok, winterstinks, that's relevant to the story above. We ALL have an obligation to help children. It's great this community has local resources to support issues like this. It's just too bad we need them.