Ariel Castro's captive: 'I told him he was a monster'

Ariel Castro's captive: 'I told him he was a monster'
Marisol Bello, USA TODAY November 5, 2013

....Knight's short stature, spiky red hair and lip and nose piercings belie the backbone of a fighter who can teach others how to survive in the worst of circumstances, say mental health experts who work with trauma victims.

In her first public interview, Knight describes in graphic detail how her kidnapper, Ariel Castro, abused her and tied her up "like a fish."

With apparent poise, she described how Castro abducted her while she was lost trying to get to an appointment. He lured her into his house by telling her he had puppies that he would give her. He tied her up in the basement with rusted chains and put a helmet on her head.

Knight was matter-of-fact as she talked about how Castro tied her up after he lured her into the house....

"I hated him," she said. "I told him he was a monster."....

Psychologists who work with trauma and sexual abuse victims say the Cleveland woman is an example of resiliency.

"She's a survivor," says Charles Figley, professor of disaster mental health at Tulane University and editor of the Encyclopedia of Trauma. He says she took charge during her captivity, bore the brunt of Castro's attacks and survived.

"Now that she's out, she's taking charge again," he says. By telling her story her way, it's clear that Knight doesn't want to be cast as a victim, he says....
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/05/cleveland-kidnap-michelle-knight-dr-phil/3443371/

Penn State to pay $59.7M to 26 Sandusky victims

Penn State to pay $59.7M to 26 Sandusky victims
John Bacon, USA TODAY October 28, 2013

Penn State will pay $59.7 million to 26 sexual abuse victims of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, the school said Monday.

The terms of the settlements include confidentiality agreements, the school said in a press release. Of the 26 settlements, 23 are signed and three are agreements in principle, with final documentation expected within the next few weeks.

"The Board of Trustees has had as one of its primary objectives to reach settlements in a way that is fair and respects the privacy of the individuals involved," Keith Masser, chair of the Board of Trustees, said in a statement. "This is another important milestone in accomplishing that goal."

University President Rodney Erickson called the agreements "another step forward in the healing process for those hurt by Mr. Sandusky, and another step forward for Penn State."....

Sandusky, 69, was convicted in June 2012 of 45 criminal counts involving abuse over a 15-year period....

In July, a Pennsylvania judge ordered three former Penn State officials, including ousted former president Graham Spanier, to stand trial on criminal charges related to an alleged coverup that temporarily shielded Sandusky from law enforcement scrutiny....
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/28/sandusky-penn-state-abuse/3287619/

Sandusky being investigated for child pornography

Feds probe possible Sandusky child porn ring  August 10, 2012

(CBS/AP) U.S. Postal inspectors are leading a federal investigation into whether former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky shared child pornography with other individuals, CBS News has learned.

Analyzing a computer seized from Sandusky, investigators are also looking into whether he sent "seductive letters" across state lines for sexual purposes. Some of these letters were said to be sent to some of his sexual abuse victims.

CBS News has learned that at the end of 2011, allegations were forward by the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. that Sandusky used the mails to seduce individuals to cross state lines for sexual purposes, with trips and gifts offered. Investigators are looking at 6-7 victims who might have gotten letters.

Also in March of this year, U.S. Postal inspectors were tasked to investigate The Second Mile charity, which was founded by Sandusky. That investigation is on hold, awaiting for documents to be released by the State Attorney.

A source has been told that child pornography was found in at least one of Sandusky's computers. According to the source, there is no evidence that the pornography was of his victims. There is also no mention of a ring or sharing of boys with others. CBS News investigative producer Pat Milton reports that a second source said that none of Sandusky's victims have indicated that there was shared sex with them, Sandusky and any other individual.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57491185/feds-probe-possible-sandusky-child-porn-ring/

CBS: Sandusky being investigated for child pornography
By Michael Winter, USA TODAY   Aug 10, 2012

The Justice Department and U.S. Postal Service are investigating child pornography allegations against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who was convicted in June of sexually abusing several boys, CBS News is reporting.

One source said that child pornography was found on one of Sandusky's computers, but that there was no evidence the material involved any of Sandusky's victims.

CBS writes that authorities are also investigating whether he sent "seductive letters" across state lines to entice boys into sex, including some of his abuse victims.

Sandusky's lawyer, Joe Amendola, called the allegations "ridiculous" and said his client "continues to maintain his innocence."....
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/08/cbs-sandusky-being-investigated-for-child-pornography-/1#.UCXNNKCSk0l