Penn State University Jerry Sandusky Sex Scandal Leads to “sweeping” Changes in Child Abuse Laws

Lawyer Herald
November 27, 2012

http://www.lawyerherald.com/articles/2484/20121127/penn-state-university-jerry-sandusky-sex-scandal.htm

Penn State University Jerry Sandusky Sex Scandal Leads to “Sweeping” Changes in Child Abuse Laws(Photo : Reuters )

It's been almost a month since former assistant football coach of Penn State University, Jerry Sandusky, was sent to a maximum-security prison for child sex abuse. Now in light of the case, a legislative panel is suggesting "sweeping" amendments to the state's child abuse laws.

The Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection told the Washington Post on Tuesday that it is recommending many "sweeping" changes to the laws. One of the notable changes the commission is recommending is a compete revision of Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law.

In addition to this, the commission hopes to re-write the definition of "perpetrator" and eliminate the requirement that the child suffer "severe pain" in order for a complaint to be classified as an abuse.

Sandusky was sentenced to between 30 years in prison in the child sex-abuse case. He was recently transferred from the Centre County jail to the State Correctional Institute at Camp Hill and is currently serving his sentence in a maximum-security prison.

Sandusky lawyer, Karl Rominger, told Fox News, "I have some concerns about his medical needs and we're going to be taking a careful look at that to make sure they're being addressed."

Sandusky, was sentenced to between 30 to 60 years in a maximum security prison in the child sex-abuse case in which the 68-year-old was convicted of abusing 10 young boys over the span of 15 years.

At the sentencing, Judge John Cleland, said that Sandusky would be in jail "for the rest of your life," he went on to add "The crime is not only what you did to their bodies but to their psyches and their souls and the assault to the well-being of the larger community in which we all live," as reported by NBC News.

Prior to the sentencing, many legal analysts speculated that Sandusky could receive up to 400 years in prison. Sandusky was convicted on 45 out of 48 counts of child sex abuse, among the 45 counts; ten had a minimum sentence of ten years.

Joe Amendola, attorney of Sandusky, said he is filing for appeal.

In a court address a few months ago Sandusky reiterated his innocence, saying, "I didn't do these alleged disgusting acts," he said, adding that he had hope in my heart for a brighter day, not knowing when that day will come," as reported by NBC News.

In May, a jury of seven women and five men found Sandusky guilty of 45 out of the 48 counts against him for sexual abuse of ten young boys over a span of 15 years.