An investigation into the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal has found that Penn State coach Joe Paterno and other senior officials "concealed critical facts" relating to the abuse.
The 267-page report is the result of an eight-month inquiry by former FBI director Louis Freeh, who was hired by Penn State trustees after Sandusky, 68, was arrested in November.
It consisted of interviews, emails and hours of investigating – the report looks at who knew what was going on and how they handled it.
The report said Paterno, former president Graham Spanier, ex-athletic director Tim Curley and vice president Gary Schultz "failed to protect against a child sexual predator harming children for over a decade."
"Indeed, that continued access provided Sandusky with the very currency that enabled him to attract his victims. Some coaches, administrators and football program staff members ignored the red flags of Sandusky's behaviors and no one warned the public about him," the report said.
Freeh spoke publicly on Thursday. “Our most saddening and sobering finding is the total disregard for the safety and welfare of Sandusky's child victims by the most senior leaders at Penn State," he said. "The most powerful men at Penn State failed to take any steps for 14 years to protect the children who Sandusky victimized.”
Sandusky was convicted of 45 criminal counts last month. He is awaiting sentencing.
The report stated "These men concealed Sandusky's activities from the board of trustees, the university community and authorities. They exhibited a striking lack of empathy for Sandusky's victims by failing to inquire as to their safety and well-being,"
It makes recommendations to prevent such an event from happening again and points out where the university dropped the ball.
This fall in Florida new laws take effect that clarify who is responsible to report child abuse. Some child advocates say Florida is taking the lead when it comes to laws for reporting child abuse.
Carrie Hoeppner is a representative from the Department of Children and Families, and she said the new law meant zero tolerance for people who don't report potential abuse.
"I think I speak on behalf of all child advocates. This story is just absolutely heart-wrenching and it took rising to this level of exposure to bring to everyone’s attention that people do harm children, people who are entrusted who we believe have the interest of our children harm children," Hoeppner said. "We are all a voice for these children and for everyone who has a concern, [call] 1-800-96ABUSE or 911 if it’s an emergency, but be a voice for that child."
Starting October 1, if you fail to report child abuse in Florida, it will be considered a felony, not a misdemeanor.
Florida universities and colleges which fail to report child abuse face even hasher fines - of $1 million. Plus, they could lose state funding for two years.
Every person will be required to report child abuse, even if the abuser is not a parent or caregiver of the victim.
DCF has created 47 more positions to better handle the reports of child abuse the come into their hotline.
"We welcome anything that’s going to protect our children," Hoeppner said. "Now the state of Florida’s position is that there are repercussions for those who fail to protect children. And so this new law takes the burden off individuals who would be concerned about protecting an individual or reputation or an image and now mandates them, takes the subjectivity away to contact the proper authorities."