Whitney Houston was brilliant, had an amazing gift of vocal ability and she was a drug addict.  She squandered her wealth, fame, voice and eventually her life with her addiction.  Everyone around her enabled her behavior by not stepping in and helping her. Classic case in point of not enabling and intervention working–Britney Spears.  We all watched her spiral out of control and everyone thought she would wind up dead as a result of her use.  Instead, her family stepped in, went to court on her behalf and saved her career but more importantly saved her life. Being honest about addiction and doing everything we can to call it what it is and try to help, is the best way to avoid headlines like the ones that are everywhere today about Whitney.

Her death is horribly sad, I will not contest that, but it is an outright lie to call it an accident. The sooner we begin to speak frankly about addiction and the dangers of mixing legal and illegal drugs, the sooner we will be able to save lives.

Each year, the Liberty Bell Award is presented to a local citizen or organization in recognition of their contribution to building a better understanding and respect for the law and an outstanding commitment to civic responsibility.

Jennifer Storm is well-known locally and nationally for her tireless efforts in advocating for victim rights. A native of Allentown, PA, she is currently the Executive Director of the Victim Witness Assistance Program. Ms. Storm was recently presented with the Pathfinder Award for Excellence in Victims Services in the Commonwealth of PA by Governor Tom Corbett and was also appointed by Gov. Corbett to serve on the Victim Service Advisory Board.

Ms. Storm, who is currently working to ensure that Pennsylvania improves its laws in the areas of reporting and defining abuse in order to intervene and protect children, said, “I am incredibly humbled. It is an honor to be recognized by an association, which is comprised of some of the best legal minds in our area.”

Established in 1898, the Dauphin County Bar Association is a professional organization of nearly 1,500 lawyers who participate in a variety of programs, ranging from public service to professional development. Members of the Dauphin County Bar Association oversee community programs, such as the Lawyer Referral Service, Civil Dispute Resolution Program and Pro Bono Programs that benefit the Harrisburg metropolitan area. Visit www.dcba-pa.org for more information.

I was very fortunate to be interviewed at length for this new book to be released in April on the Sandusky case and the culture of silence at Penn State, something I am all too familiar with as a alumni there who was also a victim of a crime on the campus. I spent years at PSU watching the administration do all they could to cover up the crime and culture of hate on the campus.

The book comes out in April, you can pre-order it now by clicking here.

Addiction-what a horrible beast it is.  It sweeps into the most glamorous of lives and destroys them. It can take a beautiful person and change them into something no one recognizes.  It can take a voice as flawless as Whitney’s and mar it beyond repair as we saw with her last single.

While no cause of death is determined at this time, its impossible to ignore the toll addiction had on Whitney’s career, appearance, voice and life. There is no way that her untimely death cannot and will not be a direct offshoot of her years in addiction.

The human body and spirit can only take so much. You cannot continue to abuse drugs, whether prescribed by a doctor or coped by a dealer; to the extent she did and not have dire consequences.

People marvel at those who have it all and yet continue to chose to destroy it on a daily basis.  Addiction is big. It takes over ones life. It is the beast that is never full and never satisfied.  It always wants more.  Much like the ills of fame.  Fame, money, power, its seems in this society we can never have enough and once people get a taste of the good life they just want more.  Until more isn’t enough and they become engulfed in a reality that is so far from real they only place to go is down and dark. Many incredibly talented people turn to addiction in some way to further their quest for more.  And more turns into death.

My heart goes out to Whitney’s family and fans.  The pain that loved ones experience while observing an addict is unimaginable.  It is the single most powerless position a person can be placed in.  A front row seat to a train wreck that no matter what you say, do, want, pray for and beg for cannot be stopped.  Addicts must come to the realization themselves that they indeed need and want help; many come to the place of need but rarely to the place of want.  And there in lies the reason most addicts do not recover and unfortunately die from this insidious disease.

It is a heartbreaking loss and an all too common societal issue. I am beyond grateful that some how I found the desire to want to get clean and sober.  I knew for years that I needed it, but it took me wanting it to finally get me to a place where I could follow a program that allowed me to change my life.  I’m tired of grieving the damage of addiction—I want to celebrate the hope, joy and freedom of recovery. Recovery is possible and it is real, I wish nothing more for others to be able to find what I have been given in my life.

Jennifer was interview by ABC 27 News about the importance of reporting crimes to help save further victimization of child sex assault victims.

Penbrook man charged with child pornography after repairing comp – abc27 – Harrisburg, York & Lancaster News & Weather.

What Sandusky and his attorney have done over the course of these past weeks is nothing short of public bullying of these victims. Each having done their own set of national media interviews where they both have challenged the credibility of the victims statements and had both stated on numerous occasions how much they looked forward to cross-examining the victims. So was it all a tactic?  A ploy in the hopes the victims would get scared and decide not to show up? I believe so.

The best part was…it didn’t work.  It only further deepened the resolve of these amazingly brave young men to stand their ground and speak their truth. The defense plan back fired and today when Sandusky and his attorney walked into court they were informed that there were 11 people prepared to testify to the abuse witnessed and endured.

No wonder they waived.  They know they are in trouble.

But what about the victims.  Imagine the roller coaster these individuals have been placed on over the past years since this investigation began. They have been forced already to recount horrific details of the abuse to their attorneys, both civil and prosecutors, and to a grand jury. But not once yet have they had the opportunity to face Sandusky, the monster in their lives, and tell their truth.  Instead, they have had to endure seeing his face on the cover of every magazine, newspaper and TV news and entertainment show. They have had to worry that every time they leave their home they could run into him, as he was until a week ago out free on bail with no restrictions, they have to worry that the media will chase them and expose their identifies.  In fact, for one victim who was all but totally exposed by the media, he had to leave his high school as he was being bullied, harassed and threatened horribly.

And they cannot speak out publicly, for if they do, each and every word they speak will be ripped to shreds in the court of public opinion. If they say one word that is different than their grand jury testimony, their credibility will be attacked, as we have already seen with the star witness in this case.

Yet today, every one of them was ready to take the stand and face their abuser, they were ready for their day in court but at the last minute, Sandusky had the chance to re-victimize them one more time by taking that chance away from them.  Rightfully, some  are angry, frustrated, annoyed, upset. They had to go home and now must wait again.

Victims have few opportunities in the criminal justice system to be heard. Their testimony is the key opportunity to be heard but they do not have a say at all in how the case proceeds. Otherwise, they hurry up and wait, prepare and wait, and wait.

I do hope and pray the resolve of each and every victim is just as strong as it was today.  That they know their truth will be told and at the end of this trail…justice will prevail.

They will have their day in court, their voices will be heard even if Sandusky take a plea, the victims will have an opportunity to state on the record how they have been affected, abused, terrorized and victimized by their abuser.

I implore the media to allow the victims peace over the holidays.  To let them move through the next weeks free from observation and intrusion so they may try and enjoy the holiday season with their families and friends.

Penn State scandal: We must all be accountable

By Patriot-News Op-Ed

BY JENNIFER STORM

Many of us who work in the criminal justice system have witnessed a systematic failure when it comes to reporting child sexual abuse. The Jerry Sandusky case is the latest example of that failure.

Sex crimes are often veiled in silence because they are so utterly horrific — making the act almost incomprehensible. But the victims never stop thinking about what happened to them. The violation is so deeply scarred within their souls that they are forever changed. They remember every action taken against them. Every moment. Every instance.

Surprisingly, not guilty verdicts often occur with these cases, even when juries are presented with DNA evidence and witness or victim testimony. When jurors are polled after shocking “not guilty” convictions, we often hear that the crime was absolutely inconceivable. Jurors just cannot believe that a family member, coach or clergy member would harm a child in that way.

It’s not surprising, however, that people have a hard time comprehending malevolence of this magnitude. It is horrific. But because of the appalling nature, many retreat into denial. As a result, the children who so bravely stepped forward to report their abuse are victimized all over again.

We must all open our eyes. We need to start removing the veil of denial. People are capable of these atrocities, and they happen every day. But there is a message to the victims who have already come forward, their families and loved ones, and those who are still sitting in the shadows: There is help out there.

Advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement officers and medical professionals join together every day to provide wrap-around support services to child victims who so bravely step forward and disclose abuse.

However, we, as advocates, cannot support victims alone. We need the commitment and buy-in from the highest level of government, universities and communities. I am encouraged by recent actions taken by the Penn State board of trustees — including the creation of a task force to review policies related to child safety and its recent commitment to zero tolerance, albeit 13 years too late.

I am hopeful that the task force will not only thoroughly review current policies, but also engage victim service leaders to ensure that the university is smartly committed to a strong zero tolerance stance on reporting violence on campus.

But zero tolerance cannot just be a policy — it needs to be enforceable. I implore Penn State to attach sanctions to any nonreporting of a violent crime such as this. It’s that simple. It is unacceptable to have a policy that is this important and have no recourse when someone fails a child. We cannot tolerate another failure of this magnitude. We must continue to hold people accountable.

We also need to strengthen the reporting requirements across Pennsylvania by considering similar sanctions when a mandated reporter fails in their duty. Consider this: Failure to report suspected child abuse is a summary offense — which is equivalent to a traffic violation. And that is only for individuals who are mandated to report.

But, what about everyone else? We all must be accountable — morally and legally. And therefore, it’s time for our laws to change. When the system works the way it’s intended to, victims receive justice. But it takes education, awareness and a strong commitment to ensure that the system works — and that responsibility falls on all of us.

Learn the signs of sexual abuse. Report it when you think you see it. Tell others to do the same. And most importantly, we must encourage our leaders and elected officials to strengthen reporting requirements and stiffen sanctions for noncompliance.

Now more than ever, the words of philosopher Edmund Burke ring true: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” This past week, we’ve seen what can happen when good men do nothing. Let’s all make sure it doesn’t happen again.

JENNIFER STORM is the executive director of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program in Dauphin County and author of several books on victimization and recovery. She also sits on the Victims Services Advisory Committee for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a Penn State alum.