Justice has been served in the Jerry Sandusky case.

A Pennsylvania jury rightfully convicted Sandusky of 45 child sex abuse counts this past week, meaning the former Penn State assistant football coach will spend the rest of his life behind bars, where he will face his own nightmare of jailhouse justice. For those that feel sympathy, consider it a down payment for preying on the young and forever ruining their lives.

Now, the attention will surely shift to current and former Penn State administrators and coaches who may have played integral roles in the alleged cover-up. The university’s athletic director and former vice president likely will face charges of perjury for testimony given during a grand jury investigation of the abuse charges, and others may also be implicated.

Anyone, whether it be administrator, coach or student, who was aware of the abuse but did nothing to stop it should also be prosecuted and face jail time. Not to report such unspeakable acts is nearly tantamount to being an equal participant.

At the very least those individuals are legally culpable as their silence helped to perpetuate Sandusky’s behavior and enabled him to draw more victims into his web of deviant behavior.

Civil suits are certain to follow.

For the victims, their pain and suffering will be a constant reminder of Sandusky’s nefarious conduct. For the rest of their lives they must confront horrors one can only imagine, and somehow overcome that emotional holocaust to function in society. Their challenges are immense.

Sandusky’s carnage extends beyond the victims, however. His acts forced a legendary coach to resign and a short time later die disgraced under a cloud of suspicion.

A well-respected university must also begin a new era while washing away the shame of the past.

The guilty verdicts do allow closure for the families and the opportunity to move forward with their lives. Let the healing begin.