What influences our reactions to sexual abuse/exploitation of children?

[Kobi]

News stories about the sexual abuse/exploitation of children never fail to evoke reactions. Yet it seems sometimes, to me at least, the intensity of the reaction to these stories seems to differ. Some stories enrage people while others just piss them off. Some stories quickly die out while others linger and are easily reignited.

For example, on the eve of the Super Bowl last year, the sex slave trade which abounds during sporting events rendered some pretty intense reactions that lasted a good long time.

Jerry Sandusky/Penn State allegations were hotly greeted as well. And the death of Joe Paterno ripped open the scars and controversy again.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez's alleged tryst with a teenager of legal age garnered a lot of attention but died fairly quickly.

Pedophile priests also cause some pretty strong reactions and generate a lot of talk whenever a story is aired.

Yet, this week, 2 LA elementary school teachers were charged with some pretty disgusting crimes against their students. The "lollipop" game of oral sex with a second grade student by one teacher who also took photos/videos of the abuse on his cell phone.

Another LA teacher was charged after over 400 alarming pictures of blindfolded and gagged children were discovered by a CVS photo technician. This man is alleged to have spoonfed his semen to his unsuspecting students. Story

The media stories of these teachers didnt seem to garner much reaction/attention except in the immediate area.

So, it made me start thinking, what kinds of things influence our reactions to these stories.

Is it the type of coverage the stories get i.e. stories involving sports stuff gets more hype nationwide thus reaches a wider audience? It is the repetitive and prolonged exposure to these stories that impact us as more and more info is released over time? Is it easier to "dismiss", in our own heads, a story that airs for just one day?

Or is it something in the actual circumstances i.e. a well known sports figures vs an unknown teachers, or an unknown elementary school vs a well known university or a school vs an entire religious institution etc.

Or, might it be something in us i.e. our own personal histories, or our own feelings about sports figures, or our own feelings/experiences in religious "do as I say not as I do" rhetoric etc.

Or, are there other factors I am not thinking of at the moment?

I am curious as to what people might think/feel about what types of things influence their own reactions to these stories.

Various things affect my reactions. The amount of media coverage, the more inundated I am, the more likely I am to react. The closer to home something occurs, the more likely I am to react.

Specific circumstances color my reactions as well. Direct responsibilty for an action is likely to piss me off more so than someones indirect accountabilty for anothers persons behavior. Attempts at "trial by media" always makes me see red - to me an allegation is an allegation until a trial says it isnt.

So, what kinds of things influence your reactions to this?