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	Protect Children; Pledge to Call Police The Frontiersman November 14, 2011 http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2011/11/15/opinion/editorials/doc4ec1f68feefc0847855876.txt When in doubt, call the police. National news has been dominated in recent days by charges that former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky has had a long history of sexually abusing children. Allegations are that although several members of that university's staff also knew of the crimes, no one contacted police. We're reminded of a mother whose husband had sexually assaulted their biological child. When confronted, the father admitted some of his crimes, but the mother — whose silence allowed the abuse to continue — was incredulous that she had played any role in the crime. "What did you want me to do?" she asked. When in doubt, call the police. Alaska children grow up more at risk of sexual assault than children anywhere else in the United States. Rates of reported rape and other forms of sexual assault in Alaska have long led the nation in per capita offenses. But it will take a commitment from each of us to turn this around and keep our kids safe. If any person you know is in danger, call the police. When police receive such reports they must decide whether or not to investigate. Just reporting that you think the actions of an adult in your child's life crossed the line does not mean that person will be automatically arrested and charged with a crime. Calling the police doesn't even guarantee an investigation will be done. But as adults, it is our responsibility to place such calls. Every time. How many hundreds of parents in Alaska and nationally ignored their children's reports of being molested by their priest only to learn later it was the priest who lied and not their child? We call on our neighbors to stand with us and push back against jokes, casual conversation and anything else that could give tacit approval to sex crimes. If your buddy tells a joke that makes light of child abuse or sexual assault, call him out on it. Tell her it's not cool to joke about crimes. Tell him that overwhelming numbers of children who are sexually abused end up in jail, repeat those crimes against other children or commit suicide. Tell her you stand with the children, that every child deserves a birthright of love and safety. Gov. Sean Parnell has launched a commendable campaign aimed at engaging men in the effort to end domestic violence called "Choose Respect." We support this effort led by men to encourage their peers to be warriors who protect their families, not cause them harm. We will need men and women working together if we are to succeed. We have built a women's shelter. We have the Children's Place to help investigate sex crimes. But what we really need is a community effort to change what we laugh at and what we condone with our silence. What we need is for every adult to be part of this effort to change social norms and keep Alaska's children safe. Will you pledge to call the police?
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