KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The college football season is underway but it’s not a big play or a shocking upset that’s making the news. Instead, it’s a tasteless T-shirt apparently printed for fans of Ohio State, Iowa and Alabama.
The shirt references the Jerry Sandusky sex-abuse scandal. One of the shirts says: “I’d rather shower at Penn State than cheer for the Wolverines.”
Those who work with victims of sexual assault say this is no laughing matter.
“Why would you joke about kids being sexually abused,” asked Jeanetta Issa, CEO of the metro’s Child Abuse Prevention Association.
“There’s really no accounting for poor taste,” she said.
According to Issa, one in three girls will be sexually abused or molested before the age of 18. For boys, that number is one in five to seven.
“It’s an issue that always comes back and they will have to deal with it at different stages of development,” she said.
Issa says instead of making light of a traumatic situation, people should respect those who have been abused and stand up and do something to prevent a situation like this from happening again. Issa says she’d love it if CAPA was put out of business. Until then, Issa says if there is one good thing to come from this situation, it’s that it starts the conversation and makes people aware.
If you know someone who you think or know is being abused you can call the Child Abuse Prevention Hotline and leave an anonymous tip.
Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
(800) 392-3738 (When calling inside of Missouri)
(573) 751-3448 (When calling outside of Missouri)
Kansas City Metro Region SRS
Serves: Wyandotte, Johnson, Douglas, Leavenworth, Franklin and Miami counties
Phone Number: (866) 215-9077 (during business hours only)
Kansas Protection Report Center
Phone Number: (800) 922-5330 (when calling from inside of Kansas)
Phone Number: (785) 296-0044 (when calling from outside of Kansas)
Court Appointed Special Advocacy for Children (CASA)
Phone Number: (816) 842-CASA (2272)
Address: 625 E. 26th St., Kansas City, Mo. 64108
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
Website: http://www.jacksoncountycasa-mo.org