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Written with Michael Server, a 26-year veteran of the Lakeville, MN Police Dept. who now lectures on child abuse at St. Mary's University.
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--Recognize abuse
--Talk to a child
--Know when to report
--Comply with the law
--Take effective action
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MICHAEL J. SERVER
After 26 years as a police officer with the Lakeville, Minnesota Police
Department, Detective Mike Server thought he had seen
just about everything. As an expert on child abuse reporting, Mike had seen
cases ranging from the horrific murder of Dillon Blocker (a
4-year-old boy who was systematically tortured to death by his
mother's live-in boyfriend) to more common complaints of young
children left alone at home without adult supervision.
Teachers Unaware Of Dangers
But the biggest eye-opener for Mike came when he taught his first
continuing education
class on child abuse reporting at
St. Mary's University in
Minneapolis. "The class was full of teachers who work with kids every
day," he says. Few of them knew their legal obligation for child abuse reporting, or how to recognize the signs of child abuse, or how and whom
to report it to". And very few of them knew "how to effectively talk to
an abused child."
Mike Server realized that although teachers were the most likely professionals
to see the signs of child abuse, they were often under-prepared to report child abuse. Not only were they confused about
the statutory reporting requirements, but they did not know how to avoid the pitfalls of talking with a fearful, confused and withdrawn child.
"With the best of intentions," says Mike, "a teacher may take the
wrong approach with an abused child, and that child may physically
and emotionally withdraw for months. Or the child may distort her
story to fit what she thinks the teacher wants to hear. Or the true
facts may be so compromised that any investigation will be unable to discover the truth
and bring justice and resolution to the child's situation."
Police And Teachers Working Together On Child Abuse Reporting
Currently Mike Server continues to lead
continuing education classes for
teachers at St. Mary's University in Minneapolis. In addition, as Law Enforcement
Coordinator for Rasmussen College in Minnesota, he teaches criminal justice
classes for students pursuing a career in law enforcement.
Mike's credentials in both education and law enforcement come
together to make a unique contribution to his online and classroom
courses in mandated child abuse reporting. His 13 years
as a Lakeville, Minnesota detective honed his interviewing skills. "I
believe that the instinct to tell the truth is stronger than the
desire to avoid it," he says. "Teachers need to help the child feel
comfortable enough to let the truth come out." His master's degree
work at St. Mary's University focused on educators and child abuse
reporting, confirming his belief that teachers could play a major
role in identifying the signs of child abuse -- and then exposing, and ultimately helping prevent child
abuse. As a police officer, he interacted with social workers, psychologists and Child Protective
workers, gaining an understanding of the human nuances of abusive
situations. He balances a razor-sharp application of the law with an
appreciation of the value of parenting classes and therapeutic
intervention in solving abusive situations.
"Teachers Are Our First Line Of Defense in Child Abuse Reporting"
As a passionate educator with a long career in law enforcement behind
him, Mike Server sees a critical role for teachers in stopping and
helping prevent child abuse and neglect. "Teachers are our first line
of child abuse defense," he says. "They are our early warning system
against potential child abuse situations or environments". "I
strongly believe that little Dillon Blocker would still be alive if
mandated reporters had exercised their legal obligation for child abuse reporting. In fact, many of them are still struggling with those memories".
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