This report, released by the Ms. Foundation for Women and the Berkeley Media Studies Group, analyzes the first nine days of media coverage surrounding the allegations of child sexual abuse against Jerry Sandusky, former Penn State assistant football coach. The allegations against Sandusky prompted an extraordinary volume of news coverage, drawing in journalists who do not often report on child sexual abuse, such as reporters and columnists from the sports pages. And the headlines got the attention of organizations and advocates in the business of protecting children and ridding society of child sexual abuse. The news coverage provided an opportunity for those groups to bring attention to an important issue often hidden from view.

In this report, we examine news coverage generated during those first days after Sandusky’s arrest, compare it to our earlier findings about how child sexual abuse is typically covered, and offer suggestions to reporters and advocates based on our observations.