Identifying Nuclear Scientists Willing To Sell Their Knowledge

There was nothing close to believable evidence for most of the "damning" allegations in the report, no sufficient information to justify taking them seriously even while reading the 20 odd pages. Most of the report was based on stuff that was shown by "one member state", and it happens to be the same member state that manufactured "evidence" for the war against Iraq. Excuse me if I delegate it to the trashcan without more extraordinary and unambiguous evidence than a table in yellow, orange and red.

From the rest of the report it was only evident that a) Iran has not succeeded in buying weapons tech or plans, b) Iran does not even have the fundamental science to develop weapons and c) all their efforts invariably end up in a brick wall.

Finally, while I keep hearing these scary stories about everyone and their dog develop nuclear weapon based on Russian know-how, it is, as a Russian combinator would say, a medical fact that ALL non-NPT nuclear programs except the Chinese are based either on US or NATO expertise.

Will we get a break from these scary, but largely baseless stories?

Source: http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdotScience/~3/jvRbRBo85Ws/identifying-nuclear-scientists-willing-to-sell-their-knowledge

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Charity 2.0? Silicon Valley reinvents philanthropy.

Silicon Valley entrepreneurs bring a fresh eye to social problems. In some cases, their innovative solutions are changing the way charity is delivered. ?

Reinvention is nothing new in Silicon Valley. This is the region whose pioneers helped remake entire industries, and some of those same pioneers have their eyes set on an industry that, they say, is ripe for innovation ? charities.

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Frustrated with slow and inefficient non-profits, some of Silicon Valley's elite are bringing about fresh approaches to solving vexing social issues, such as helping the poor and reimagining how students are educated.

And they aren't just bringing money. Social entrepreneurs are bringing their business skills ? everything from marketing to operations, along with their enthusiasm and business drive ? to transform many nonprofits into savvy, goal-focused businesses.

Active donors and accountability have been growing trends throughout the nonprofit world, but the valley, by some accounts, is leading the way with its deeply ingrained entrepreneurial way of life.

"The rapid generation of wealth in Silicon Valley really shifted the focus to giving while living. Donors aren't waiting until retirement now," says Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, a philanthropist and author of "Giving 2.0," a new book on how to improve one's philanthropy. "We now live in a giving 2.0 world, and the definition of a philanthropist has changed. This is no longer about sympathy. It's about strategy."

She says donors are demanding more research and metrics before funding projects.

Take Thomas Siebel, founder of Siebel Systems, a Silicon Valley software company that was purchased by Oracle in 2005. Mr. Siebel decided to take a new approach to preventing drug abuse. Eschewing counseling and other traditional approaches, the Siebel Foundation took a page out of a business playbook and created a research-based, consumer marketing campaign. The program, called the Meth Project, relies heavily on consumer research like target-market surveys and uses that information to develop graphic advertisements that then saturate a community. The program aims to reach 70 to 90 percent of teens three to five times a week during a campaign.

Many experts say it works. In Montana, where the project was started in 2005, the program reduced adult use of methamphetamines by 72 percent, and teen use by 62 percent (although some researchers dispute those figures and the program's overall impact). The state has dropped from fifth in the rate of meth abuse in 2005 to 39th a few years later, according to the foundation. The White House cited the program as one of the country's most powerful and creative antidrug programs.

"He applied a business approach to solving a social problem and it worked," says Ms. Arrillaga-Andreessen.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/cUvHNFIKy0Y/Charity-2.0-Silicon-Valley-reinvents-philanthropy

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Official ICQ client coming to Windows Phone

Of the 100 million registered ICQ accounts, we really must wonder how many of them remain active. Still, the vintage instant messaging platform remains quite viable in some regions, and we're happy to report that the software's new owner is treating both it, and Windows Phone, with the respect they deserve. That's right, the Mail.ru Group has announced the upcoming version of "I seek you" for Microsoft's mobile platform, and from what we can tell, things look mighty fine. Of course, whether we actually choose to install the software onto our Titans and Radars is another matter entirely. Maybe one day, when we're feeling wistful for the past...

[Thanks, Dryab]

Official ICQ client coming to Windows Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/TGV6FCWTMIQ/

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Ohio mom charged in death of 28-pound teen girl

A mother and three nurses were charged Thursday in the death of the woman's 14-year-old daughter, who had cerebral palsy and weighed 28 pounds, a prosecutor said.

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A Montgomery County grand jury in Dayton indicted the mother and a nurse on involuntary manslaughter charges. Two other nurses were indicted on charges of failing to report child abuse or neglect. All are being held in the county jail.

"This is a tragic and sad case wherein four adults were responsible for the care of this 14-year-old special-needs girl, and they all utterly ignored and failed to do so." Montgomery County Prosecutor Mathias Heck Jr. said in a statement.

"The conduct of these four defendants transcends all bounds of human decency," he said.

Heck said that the girl undoubtedly would still be alive "if just one of these defendants had acted responsibly."

Makayla Norman died March 1 from nutritional and medical neglect complicated by her chronic condition, the county coroner's office ruled.

"She was the worst malnourished child this office has ever seen," Ken Betz, director of the coroner's office, said Thursday.

Authorities have said that the teen died minutes after paramedics rushed her to a hospital.

The victim had numerous bed sores and showed other signs of neglect, and the prosecutor described the home as vile and filthy.

The girl's mother, Angela Norman, also was indicted on a felony count and a misdemeanor count of endangering children. No attorney was listed for Norman, whose age was listed as 42 in jail records.

Mollie E. Parsons, 41, of Dayton, was indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter, failing to provide for a functionally impaired person and tampering with records. Kathryn Williams, 42, of Englewood, and Mary K. Kilby, 63, of Miamisburg, were each charged with failing to provide for a functionally impaired person and failing to report child abuse or neglect. No attorneys were listed for them.

The teen was confined to her home and was supposed to be cared for by her mother and Parsons, a licensed practical nurse whose job was to administer care for the girl six days a week, according to the prosecutor.

Williams and Kilby are registered nurses, the prosecutor's office said. Williams was paid to supervise Parsons and visit and inspect the living conditions and do a physical assessment of the girl every 30 to 60 days. Kilby was scheduled to visit every six months to also check on conditions of the home and assess the girl's health, needs and care, the statement said.

Children's services had a referral on the family in September 2009, but it was unable to substantiate any allegations, Ann Stevens, a spokeswoman for the Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services, said Thursday.

Stevens said she could not provide any additional information because of confidentiality requirements, but she said the department would have assisted the police and the prosecutor's office in their investigation of the girl's death.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45340696/ns/us_news/

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Merkel: still no quick fix to euro crisis (AP)

BERLIN ? German Chancellor Angela Merkel is brushing aside pressure for a quick-fix solution to the euro crisis even as market tensions mount, arguing that spreading debt liability could ruin Europe's competitiveness and a massive European Central Bank bond-buying drive wouldn't resolve its problems.

Merkel also argued in a speech Thursday to an economic conference that Europe needs to consider growth-promoting measures that don't immediately cost money, such as labor-market reforms ? and that such measures will require patience.

Merkel noted that Europe has been discussing "one quick solution after another" ? such as the introduction of jointly backed so-called "eurobonds," which she adamantly opposes but backers say would fix concern over the solvency of weaker eurozone countries.

She insisted Europe must instead address the continent's problems at the root, and pushed her drive for reform to the European Union treaties to strengthen the currency union.

"We have the choice now: you can have a . . . collectivization of everything with everyone in Europe ? that will lead to a short-term calming of the markets, and to Europe's competitiveness declining massively," Merkel said.

She said she didn't want that because she grew up in communist East Germany and "saw the chance in 1990 to switch to more competitive surroundings ? which I've found good for 21 years now."

Germany, as Europe's biggest economy, has been instrumental in setting the tone for the 17-nation eurozone's rescue measures, insisting on painful reforms in exchange for aid to troubled nations.

This week, Volker Kauder, the parliamentary caucus leader of Merkel's conservative bloc, proclaimed that "now German is being spoken in Europe ? not in terms of the language, but in the acceptance of the instruments for which Angela Merkel has fought for so long and then successfully."

However, there is resistance to some German stances. Officials from countries including France and Ireland have argued that the ECB's unlimited firepower should ultimately be brought to bear to bring down the cost of borrowing for pressured nations, such as Italy.

But Germany is adamantly opposed ? arguing that it could stoke inflation or take the pressure off governments to get their budgets in order.

"I am firmly convinced that this (market) uncertainty can only be overcome by firm political solutions," Merkel said. "If politicians think the ECB can resolve the problem of the euro's weaknesses, then I think they are persuading themselves of something that won't happen."

Germany has insisted on austerity as a keystone of Europe's firefighting effort, and Merkel has spoken out recently against new stimulus programs.

On Thursday, she recalled the success of labor-market and welfare-state reforms introduced by Germany in the mid-2000s and insisted Europe must bear in mind that "not all growth measures cost money."

"You can have labor market reforms, internal market reforms; you can free up the services sector, you can unleash professional groups," she said.

"When people keep saying in Europe that this and that still hasn't worked, we have to remember that structural reforms, for instance on the labor market, will never take effect between two quarters," Merkel added.

"It always takes two to three years to see any effect, and I think we have to take care that we don't fall into a kind of breathlessness."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111117/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_germany_financial_crisis

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Patti Stanger's Advice For Demi Moore: 'Hang In There!' (omg!)

Patti Stanger, Demi Moore -- Access Hollywood / Getty Images

As the star of Bravo's "The Millionaire Matchmaker," Patti Stanger is in the business of finding people who fit romantically, and on Friday, the relationship guru weighed in on why she thinks Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher split.

"What it is, is that there's a 16-year age difference in the older female and younger male," Patti told Access Hollywood . "I don't think it can work."

PLAY IT NOW: Demi Moore & Ashton Kutcher: It's Over!

Patti, who continues her own search for love in this Tuesday's season finale of "The Millionaire Matchmaker," thinks the opposite equation - an older man with a younger woman, is a good fit.

"In my opinion, I think the other way can [work]," she said. "In this case, Ashton's young, with money. He doesn't need her money; he's very successful; he owns half of Silicon Valley; he's invested in every major Internet company out there. The second thing is, he's looking good, he's back on TV, he's got pep in his step and he's hitting the blondes. What's up with that?"

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Celebs Who Moved To Splitsville In 2011

Patti, who has also had her personal relationship ups and downs, said she could relate to Demi.

"She's getting to a different level in her life," the Bravo star said. "It's almost like her window's closing and his is opening. And it's sad, because I'm her age, I know exactly what it feels like to feel like, you know, 'Is my tour of duty over?' And I say to Demi, 'Hang in there! But you need to date older - in your own age group.'"

While it's unlikely Demi will be spotted dating any time soon, Patti said when the time is right, Demi should look for someone with similar values.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: They Dated? Surprising Former Couples!

"I think she needs to find someone spiritual. She's very involved in the Kabbalah Center. I don't get the sense that Ashton is really in it for himself as far as Kabbalah is goes, to heighten himself. I think he did it for Demi," Patti said. "I think she needs to find someone in her own age group who's probably outside of Hollywood who's a business owner."

"The Millionaire Matchmaker" season finale airs Tuesday on Bravo. The reunion shows, hosted by Andy Cohen, air on Bravo on November 29 and December 6 at 9 PM ET/PT.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Keepin? It Real With TV?s Hottest Reality Stars!

Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/news_patti_stangers_advice_demi_moore_hang200819239/43648555/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/patti-stangers-advice-demi-moore-hang-200819239.html

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Blizzard store pets should be slightly more powerful

Actually, it should be the reverse. Blizzard has stated that items bought in the Blizz Store should give no in game advantage, therefore Blizz store pets should either a) be equal in strength to other pets, b) be lower in strength to other pets, or c) be disallowed from pet combat.

Also, if the 'feral' pets caught out in the wild are stronger, it gives incentive for people to go out into the 'World' of Warcraft.

Source: http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1022749-Blizzard-store-pets-should-be-slightly-more-powerful

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Fuel taxes and the poor

[ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 15-Nov-2011
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Thomas Sterner
Thomas.Sterner@economics.gu.se
46-031-786-1377
University of Gothenburg

Fuel Taxes and the Poor challenges the conventional wisdom that gasoline taxation, an important and much-debated instrument of climate policy, has a disproportionately detrimental effect on poor people. Increased fuel taxes carry the potential to mitigate carbon emissions, reduce congestion, and improve local urban environment. As such, higher gasoline taxes could prove to be a fundamental part of any climate action plan.

However, they have been resisted by powerful lobbies that have persuaded people that increased fuel taxation would be regressive that they are more costly to the poor. But recent research suggests the opposite, particularly for developing countries. Reporting on examples of over two dozen countries, this book (published by RFF Press, Resources for the Future, with Environment for Development initiative) sets out to empirically investigate this claim.

The authors conclude that while there may be some slight regressivity in some high-income countries, as a general rule, fuel taxation is a progressive policy particularly in low income countries. Rich countries can correct for regressivity by cutting back on other taxes that adversely affect poor people, or by spending more money on services for the poor. Meanwhile, in low-income countries, poor people spend a very small share of their money on fuel for transport. Some costs from fuel taxes may be passed on to poor people through more expensive public transportation and food transport. Nevertheless, in general the authors find that gasoline taxes become more progressive as the income of the country in question decreases.

This book provides strong arguments for the proponents of environmental taxation. It has immediate policy implications at the intersection of multiple subject areas, including transportation, environmental regulation, development studies, and climate change.

###

Among the 35 authors are 14 researchers from China, Central America, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, USA and Sweden.

The editor Thomas Sterner is a Professor of Environmental Economics at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and a University Fellow of Resources for the Future, Washington DC. He has published a dozen books and more than 75 journal articles.

Fuel Taxes and the Poor, The Distributional Effects of Gasoline Taxation and Their Implications for Climate Policy is edited by Thomas Sterner and published by RFF Press, Resources for the Future, with Environment for Development initiative.

Link to EfD webpage about the book: http://www.efdinitiative.org/research/publications/publications-repository/fuel-taxes-and-the-poor

Link to Routledge webpage about the book: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781617260926/

Reference: ?Fuel Taxes and the Poor, The Distributional Effects of Gasoline Taxation and Their Implications for Climate Policy (2011) Published by RFF Press with Environment for Development initiative. Edited By Thomas Sterner.
ISBN 978-1-61726-092-6


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 15-Nov-2011
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Thomas Sterner
Thomas.Sterner@economics.gu.se
46-031-786-1377
University of Gothenburg

Fuel Taxes and the Poor challenges the conventional wisdom that gasoline taxation, an important and much-debated instrument of climate policy, has a disproportionately detrimental effect on poor people. Increased fuel taxes carry the potential to mitigate carbon emissions, reduce congestion, and improve local urban environment. As such, higher gasoline taxes could prove to be a fundamental part of any climate action plan.

However, they have been resisted by powerful lobbies that have persuaded people that increased fuel taxation would be regressive that they are more costly to the poor. But recent research suggests the opposite, particularly for developing countries. Reporting on examples of over two dozen countries, this book (published by RFF Press, Resources for the Future, with Environment for Development initiative) sets out to empirically investigate this claim.

The authors conclude that while there may be some slight regressivity in some high-income countries, as a general rule, fuel taxation is a progressive policy particularly in low income countries. Rich countries can correct for regressivity by cutting back on other taxes that adversely affect poor people, or by spending more money on services for the poor. Meanwhile, in low-income countries, poor people spend a very small share of their money on fuel for transport. Some costs from fuel taxes may be passed on to poor people through more expensive public transportation and food transport. Nevertheless, in general the authors find that gasoline taxes become more progressive as the income of the country in question decreases.

This book provides strong arguments for the proponents of environmental taxation. It has immediate policy implications at the intersection of multiple subject areas, including transportation, environmental regulation, development studies, and climate change.

###

Among the 35 authors are 14 researchers from China, Central America, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, USA and Sweden.

The editor Thomas Sterner is a Professor of Environmental Economics at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and a University Fellow of Resources for the Future, Washington DC. He has published a dozen books and more than 75 journal articles.

Fuel Taxes and the Poor, The Distributional Effects of Gasoline Taxation and Their Implications for Climate Policy is edited by Thomas Sterner and published by RFF Press, Resources for the Future, with Environment for Development initiative.

Link to EfD webpage about the book: http://www.efdinitiative.org/research/publications/publications-repository/fuel-taxes-and-the-poor

Link to Routledge webpage about the book: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781617260926/

Reference: ?Fuel Taxes and the Poor, The Distributional Effects of Gasoline Taxation and Their Implications for Climate Policy (2011) Published by RFF Press with Environment for Development initiative. Edited By Thomas Sterner.
ISBN 978-1-61726-092-6


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-11/uog-fta111511.php

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Engadget HD Podcast 274 - 11.15.2011

Sure there's plenty of TV biz, connected TV, and social networking on the docket for this week's episode, but stay tuned for a special throwback segment as we talk HDTV tech both past and future. The prospect of Super Hi-Vision bringing a fresh new look at the Olympic Games has us pretty excited, but the up and down week of Google TV does not yet engender such optimism. We've also got new hardware shipping from TiVo so press play to hear about that and more before we dive into what we're watching / playing this week.

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Trent Wolbe

00:09:05 - Sony's CEO is ready to launch a four-screen platform 'that can compete with Steve Jobs'
00:23:49 - Logitech's new CEO sees the failures of the Revue clearly in hindsight and doesn't plan a sequel
00:31:04 - Adobe abandoning Flash Player for TVs as well
00:40:47 - LG might show off Google TV hardware at CES
00:44:33 - Boxee Box may integrate live TV via USB dongle, push the definition of 'awesome' to a new level
00:48:13 - Griffin's Beacon universal remote control system now available for Android, ships for $70
00:53:30 - Facebook SlingPlayer revealed, proves you can't escape social networking
00:57:30 - 2012 London Olympics Super Hi-Vision broadcast coming to select US, Japan, UK locations
00:59:05 - Engadget Primed: HDTV technologies detailed, past and future
01:00:28 - Sony, Panasonic, Samsung team up for 3D supergroup
01:02:20 - TiVo Premiere Q and Preview multiroom DVR setup finally debuts from RCN
01:11:25 - Must See HDTV (November 14th - 20th)

Hear the podcast

LISTEN (MP3)
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Engadget HD Podcast 274 - 11.15.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/15/engadget-hd-podcast-274-11-15-2011/

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Sandusky case triggers pain well beyond campus

As the Penn State sex abuse scandal unfolds ? ghastly detail by detail ? on front pages, the airwaves and Twitter accounts, the news can be especially devastating for one group in particular: former victims of sexual abuse.

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?Another night of triggers and flashbacks,? writes a forum member on MaleSurvivor.org, a website devoted to healing male victims of sexual abuse. ?? I felt him all over me and my arms are scratched as I try to get the feeling of his hands off me. ? I think all the (Penn State) news set the triggers off, and now I am like a zombie, trying to recover and move forward today.?

?I never met Jerry Sandusky, but feel I know him all too well,? writes another member of the forum, referring to the university?s former defensive coordinator who stands accused of sexually molesting at least eight young boys. ?I dealt with my own ?Jerry? when I was 12 or 13. ? Now that he is sated and I am long forgotten, I'm still picking up the pieces.?

?This whole thing is devastating me. These boys are lost in the details ... just as most of us here were,? the member added.

Video: Alleged victim outraged by Sandusky denial (on this page)

Psychologists say that any sex abuse victim ? man or woman ? may find that news of the Penn State case sparks painful memories. But the way this case is unfolding strikes an especially deep chord with men.

?It can be very triggering of either their own memories ? they may get flashbacks ? or they may get angry again,? said Richard Gartner, a psychologist and psychoanalyst in New York, and spokesman for Malesurvivor.org. Some men may have to limit their news consumption, and maybe avoid watching football to avoid a panic attack or bout of depression, he said.

?It is re-traumatizing for them ? more so to the extent that they believe that this is being handled wrong ? and ignoring the needs of the victims.?

Different experience for boys
Sexual abuse has a different impact on boys than on girls, and they deal with it differently because of socialization, experts say.

?Men aren?t supposed to be victims. Men are supposed to be strong,? said Jim Hopper, clinical instructor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. ?A man says I?m not a real man, because I let someone do this to me. I should have been tougher. Even after years of therapy they say this.?

Girls who are abused by men are psychologically damaged, to be sure, experts say, but boys abused by men often come to question their sexual identity and orientation.

?If they were sexually abused by a man, there?s this whole stigma ? does that mean I?m gay, or did he do it to me because I look gay?? says Hopper.

Another difference: Boys who were forced into sexual acts may have an erection ? a physiological response which makes them all the more confused and ashamed of the encounter, Gartner says.

The women?s movement helped bring sexual assault of females into the public eye ? and led to tougher penalties against attackers, more policy aimed at prevention and better access to care for victims. The focus on sexual abuse of boys came nearly 20 years later, when hundreds of childhood victims went public with stories of abuse by Catholic priests, according to Gartner.

  1. Only on msnbc.com

    1. CFT: Penn State's McQueary 'in protective custody'
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    3. When abusers are 'like us,' how can they be stopped?
    4. Alleged victim's mother: Son lived in fear of Sandusky
    5. CFT: Whistleblower law keeping McQueary on job?
    6. CFT: Sandusky could faces charges in Texas, too
    7. CFT: Penn St. sidelines McQueary due to threats
    8. DA who didn't charge Sandusky missing since '05

Shame, silence, secrecy
Still, the shame and stigma makes it less common for boys to report abuse and seek help than girls, studies show.

?Men tend to come into treatment much later in life,? said Gartner. ?Usually they are in their 30s, 40s or 50s ? occasionally in their 70s ? never having spoken about this.?

Their reluctance to talk about abuse is partly to blame for the perception that sexual abuse of boys is rare, Gartner said.

Research shows that about one in six boys are sexually abused before they are 16 years old, according to Hopper, a founding board member of the nonprofit organization 1in6, which aims to help men deal with abuse they experienced as children.

The number for girls is one in four. The statistics do not include verbal harassment or other forms of non-physical sexual abuse, such as forcing a child to watch a sexual act.

Video: Will Sandusky?s NBC interview hurt his case? (on this page)

Reports of sexual abuse by boys are still more likely to be dismissed, researchers say, which can intensify the victim?s pain and difficulty later in life.

"Boys who are sexually abused are mostly disbelieved, or it is minimized," said Gartner. "They're told, 'just get over it'."

"They learn that nobody?s safe," said Hopper. "That?s really devastating. ? that people who were supposed to protect me are not going to help me, they are blaming me!"

That perception by a child can lead to a wide array of problems as they grow older, including depression, anxiety, emotional numbing, substance abuse, and difficulty forming healthy relationships.

PTSD in high gear
Robert Brown, 51, who is now open about his story, was repeatedly sexually assaulted over the course of seven years when he was a child. He says the perpetrators were older boys who were favored because they were top athletes in his small New Hampshire town, while his plight was ignored by adults.

Brown did not acknowledge the problem to anyone until four years ago, when he was blindsided by a severe bout of post-traumatic stress.

Now he is a child protection activist, and shares his story on the MaleSurvivor.org forum, many of whom keep their abuse secret.

?In my lifetime and in my time with all other survivors that I know, the Penn State case is the most earth-shattering one for us to face,? Brown said in an interview.

?Probably because of the authority abused and the trust abused by the sports program and by Jerry Sandusky. It gets worse when we see that it?s underprivileged kids being so badly abused as if they are throwaway people," he added.

?We identify very, very strongly with these boys. And we identify with the poor handling of this. To think there are 15-year-old cases that have never been dealt with," Brown said. ?It kicks off the (post-traumatic stress) into high gear ? nightmares, flashbacks, extreme depression. It?s been some of the worst few days of my life emotionally.?

Gartner said that while the Penn State case has clearly caused pain and anguish for men struggling with the aftermath of abuse, it does demonstrate that perceptions have changed since the 1980s, when he started treating sexually abused men.

?Before the (Catholic) church scandal, even in professional meetings, people rolled their eyes, feeling that (sexual abuse of boys) happened rarely,? said Gartner. ?Now, nobody seems to be saying it doesn?t happen. It does give people courage to come forward and disclose and get help, and that?s positive.?

Click here to follow Kari Huus on Facebook.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45314171/ns/us_news-life/

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