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	Psu Sex Abuse Scandal, Similar to Catholic Church ONN November 11, 2011 http://www.onntv.com/content/stories/2011/11/10/story-PSU-Catholic-Church.html [with video] Kristine Ward attended Penn State University in the mid 60's. That was the same time Joe Paterno became the head football coach. "Mine is a Penn State family and there's a great deal of sadness in all of this," said Ward. The Penn State alumna is also the chairperson of the National Survivor Advocates Coalition. It's a group that works to promote justice for those abused at the hands of clergy members. Ward sees parallels between the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal and the allegations at Penn State, ONN's Lot Tan reported on Thursday. "Paterno knew about this in 2002," Ward said. "That's the exact match to the year that the Catholic Church scandal in Boston came out. Paterno is catholic. He should've absolutely said something in 2002, but unfortunately he followed the practice of church, and the church was covering and hiding." Ward, like many others, it feels that Paterno should've called police as soon as he was told about the allegations. "It's choosing the institution over a child," Ward said. "It's a charismatic person preying upon children and not having any other adults step in." Barbara Dorris is the Victims Advocate director of SNAP, the survivor's network of those abused by priests. Dorris wanted survivors to know they're not at fault, Tan reported. "They have been harmed and they have done nothing wrong," Ward said. "They need to call police. This is what I know and the truth needs to come out and these kids need to be protected. Kids will be safe when predators are in jail." Advocates hope that this scandal will encourage people to not only do what's right legally, but morally as well. There is one major difference according to Ward between the two scandals. Ward said that Penn State has taken steps to be accountable by firing Paterno and the university president. However, Ward said that no bishops have been fired by the Catholic Church. Watch ONN and refresh ONNtv.com for the latest information.
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