Penn State Scandal: $60 Million Fine Should Be Split at Local and National Level

We've all seen the penalties that the NCAA handed down, including the $60 million fine that was to be spent on child abuse prevention and awareness. The money, to be paid out in $12 million installments over five years, is now the subject of a bit of political posturing. As the AP reported, via Sports Illustrated, the District Attorneys in Pennsylvania want a chunk of that cash to be kept in house:

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Prosecutors in Pennsylvania hope to steer some of the $60 million in fines Penn State must pay the NCAA over the Jerry Sandusky sex-abuse scandal to children's advocacy centers across the state.

The group is not seeking a specific amount of money, but it wants to add to the 21 advocacy centers that now exist across 67 counties, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said.

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Kudos to them, looking out for the community and pushing to make the state of Pennsylvania, where the crimes that led to the fine occurred, a safer place.

In the face of the tremendous tragedy that transpired the political machine is slowly starting to turn its wheels. Pennsylvania DAs are pushing to keep a sizable portion of the cash in house, that's the first push. As it stands now the money has yet to be designated for assignment and given the history of the events, it stands to reason that Pennsylvania most certainly should get its due.

However, $60 million over five years can do a lot of good in more than just one place. The Sandusky Scandal has raised awareness on a grand scale and that push must be continued on the local and national level.

Victim awareness, advocacy and support groups all must see moneys funneled through them in order to maintain the ground already gained. Fighting the battle against child abuse is a massive task and with the awareness gained in the light of this tragedy the entire fight must be funded to push further ahead. 

That includes the local and the national levels. To fight over the dollars is to do a disservice to the cause for which the money was intended. Spend that money to help fight the stigma that surrounds victims revealing the crimes perpetrated against them. Spend that money to help make people recognize the warning signs of child abuse.

This is one fight. One fight against abuse. Spend the money in Pennsylvania and around the nation in order to continue this much needed fight.