"This has been one of the most devastating, if not the most devastating, experiences of my life," Oprah Winfrey told the press in Chicago this morning, of the physical and sexual abuse scandal that recently took place in her South African Academy for Girls.

Last week the talkshow diva broke down in tears while apologizing to the parents of the victims, telling them "I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

The accused "dorm mom" - Tiny Virginia Makopo - has pleaded not guilty, posted bail this morning and will appear in court again next month. She's charged with 13 counts of indecent assault, common assault, soliciting or enticing a minor through the commission of an indecent or immoral act and verbal abuse against seven victims, six of which were between 13 and 14 years old.

After learning about the abuse scandal last month, Oprah was directed by police to stay silent till an arrest was made in order to avoid the risk of jeopardizing the investigation. But her silence in the media didn't keep Oprah from being actively involved in both the investigation and the personal lives of the victims in South Africa. She's made two trips to the school already and provided each of the victims with a cell phone and her phone number so that they can call her directly.

Since her first statement, Oprah has been very outspoken about her feelings, sharing how personally the scandal has affected her. As an abuse victim herself, knowing similar abuse was going on under her nose must hit pretty close to home:

"I am a mama bear when it comes to protecting my children. These girls are my children. That is not just rhetoric. I take their futures, and the possibility for what their futures hold, very personally."

"We are removing the dorm parents, and as I have said to the girls, (we are) cleaning house from top to bottom. My experience with child predators is that no one ever, ever abuses just one child."

"We are moving to create a safe, open and receptive environment for the girls. What I know is no one, not the accused nor any persons, can destroy the dream I have held or that the girls have at this school. At the core of me is a spiritual foundation and a belief that all things happen for a reason, and no matter what the devastation, this, too, shall pass."

Oprah has overcome more obstacles than pretty much anyone on T.V., and she has confronted this scandal head-on by taking responsibility ("I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry...") and "cleaning house," but this is definitely going to be one of her heavier challenges.

On the upside, it doesn't sound like any of the kids are choosing to leave the school yet, and most parents have been pretty understanding. Maybe this will pan out like the e. coli outbreak at Jack in the Box a decade ago - where Jack management overcompensated so intensely that their joints were no doubt the cleanest of any fast food joint for years afterwards. Then again, Jack in the Box was sued and boycotted so bad they almost went out of business, soooo actually, for Oprah's sake, let's hope this doesn't pan out like that...!