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<iframe width="500" height="375" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DKYgfPPDq18?rel=0"></iframe><br><p><span class="Caption">Associate Professor Michael R. Dimino Sr. speaking about plans for the conference</span></p>
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When Jerry Sandusky was arrested and accused of sexually abusing multiple children during his years as a Penn State University assistant football coach, it opened a floodgate of national discussion about his young victims and how to keep children everywhere safe from predators.<br><br>Now, Widener Law, the only law school in Pennsylvania’s state capital of Harrisburg, will host a daylong conference exploring that question and many more.<br><br>“Legal Implications of the Sandusky Scandal” will be held Friday, Oct. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in room A180 of the administration building on the school’s campus at 3800 Vartan Way, Harrisburg. It is presented by the school and its student-run <a href="/CampusLife/ActivitiesandOrganizations/WidenerLawJournal.aspx">Widener Law Journal</a>.<br><br>The day will feature four panel discussions on topics that include:<br><ul>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">8:45 a.m. Understanding the vulnerability of child victims</span>, which will include a discussion of the physical and psychological harm suffered by child victims and requirements that abuse be reported to authorities. Panelists include representatives of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and Pinnacle Health Children’s Resource Center, along with Widener Associate Law Professor <a href="/Academics/Faculty/ProfilesHbg/WilliamsStarla.aspx">Starla Williams</a>, a former family law practitioner who served as executive vice president for child and family services at A Second Chance, Inc., servicing children and youth in foster care.</li>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">10:30 a.m. Criminal law and child abuse</span>, which will explore the criminal justice system’s process for investigating, negotiating and trying abuse cases. Panelists will include Dauphin County, Pa. District Attorney Ed Marsico.</li>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">12:45 p.m. Responses to child abuse outside criminal law</span>, which will explore civil liability of abusers and institutions and the role of the NCAA investigation in the Sandusky case. Panelists will include Widener Law Professor <a href="/Academics/Faculty/ProfilesDe/CulhaneJohnG.aspx">John G. Culhane</a> who has studied and written extensively about large-scale victim compensation and Vermont Law Professor Brian Porto and who helps lead that school’s Sports Law Institute. Porto has written a book on the Supreme Court and the NCAA which calls for more due process in college sports.</li>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">2:30 p.m. Ethical concerns in abuse cases</span>, which will explore ethical concerns for attorneys representing victims, perpetrators or witnesses, along with ethical concerns in news reporting of high-profile cases. Panelists will include Patriot-News Editor Cate Barron. The newspaper won a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the Sandusky scandal.</li>
</ul>Widener Law Dean <a href="/Academics/Faculty/ProfilesDe/AmmonsLinda.aspx">Linda L. Ammons</a> will also speak at the event. At the request of Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, Ammons undertook an exhaustive <a href="/NewsandEvents/Articles/2010/de051110bradleyreport.aspx">review into the matter of Earl Bradley</a>, the Delaware pediatrician who was convicted of sexually abusing more than 100 of his young patients. The Bradley and Sandusky abuses both went on for years despite concerns expressed about the men from people in their communities. Ammons’ work in 2010 led to a <a href="/NewsandEvents/Articles/2012/de081712ammonschildabuselegislation.aspx">package of bills that passed the Delaware General Assembly unanimously</a>, designed to strengthen that state’s reporting system and keep children safe.<br><br>Attorneys who attend the conference from Pennsylvania or Delaware will be eligible for six continuing legal education credits, including 1.5 ethics credits. The cost to attend for credit is $125. The cost for Widener Law alumni and government lawyers is $100 and is $50 for those who attend not for credit. The fee includes materials and lunch. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To register, contact Sandra L. Graeff</span> at <span style="font-weight: bold;">717.541.3965</span> or <a href="mailto:slgraeff@widener.edu">slgraeff@widener.edu</a>. <br><br>Members of the media are invited and encouraged to attend at no cost. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Reporters are asked to notify Widener Law Public Relations Officer Mary Allen in advance</span> of their plans to attend, to help the school plan for space needs. Please phone <span style="font-weight: bold;">302.477.2175</span> or email <a href="mailto:mallen@widener.edu">mallen@widener.edu</a>.