Education Secretary Arne Duncan is interviewed by The Associated Press, Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Education Secretary Arne Duncan is interviewed by The Associated Press, Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Education Secretary Arne Duncan gestures during his interview with The Associated Press, Monday, Nov., 7, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
WASHINGTON (AP) ? Education Secretary Arne Duncan said allegations of sexual abuse involving Penn State University are heartbreaking and make him "extraordinarily angry."
If the allegations are proven true, it's "mind boggling" that it was allowed to go on for so long, Duncan told The Associated Press in an interview on Monday. He said educators have an "absolute moral, ethical and legal responsibility" to protect kids.
"If a blind eye was turned towards it, or if the allegations were somewhat buried or not taken seriously, well, you're actually perpetuating the problem," Duncan said. "You're giving the abuser more opportunities to hurt more kids. I just can't fathom that."
Duncan said the Education Department has been working on efforts to prevent sexual violence on college campuses, but it's too early to know if it would be involved at Penn State in any way.
Two high-ranking university administrators have stepped down after facing charges that they lied to a grand jury investigating former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky and failed to properly report suspected child abuse. Sandusky was arrested on charges that he preyed on boys he met through a charity. All three have maintained they are innocent.
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Kimberly Hefling can be followed at http://twitter.com/khefling
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