Mark Foley Incident Underscores Why Devra Became a Social Worker

I recently heard an interview on National Public Radio where a member of our government was questioned as to why he did not take more decisive action in regard to Mark Foley's inappropriate behavior with children (don't even get me started on how the word "page" is being used to somehow distract us from the fact "pages" are CHILDREN).

What did this member of our government say in response? "Like any corporation, I went to my supervisor and reported it. After I did that, I no longer had any responsibility in regard to the matter." While I am angry about the comment I heard on NPR, I would like to think the majority of people in our government realize that reporting an alleged abuse of a child is not comparable to reporting a problem in corporate accounting to one's supervisor.

I have to admit, though, I understand what that government guy is talking about, but I learned my lesson later, rather than sooner and instead of responding with "Oh well, shit happens", which is essentially what that G-man did, I destined my history not to repeat itself.

I was straight out of college. I was working in child care center on a military base. I had recently been trained under a new program so child care workers would be made more aware of possible red flags regarding child abuse and neglect. I took my training to heart as I walked in to the room of toddlers in my charge. A few days into my new job, I noticed a co-worker who was favoring kids; Some children she would allow to sit on her lap and others she would not. Some would receive extra hugs, some would not,etc.

I realized this seemed like a small flag, but it bothered me. While the flag was small, it was waving a lot. I spoke with my co-workers, and while all of them agreed the behavior was definitely noticeable, none were willing to get involved and report it. They all told me "She's been here for years." I decided, "So what." and I would report my concerns to the lead teacher in our room. The lead teacher? She dismissed my concerns by saying "Well, she's been working here for years. She's just like that sometimes".

I argued it was not okay, that I was trained specifically NOT to favor children and this was a violation of procedure at the center and I expressed my frustration that her inappropriate behavior would not be addressed. It was then explained to me, "She hasn't gone thru the new training yet, so maybe she doesn't realize what she is doing. She will be trained soon." Again, I was told about how long this woman had worked at the center and I just needed more experience. I was not satisfied with this answer. My gut just said "Keep going, don't stop!"

I made an appointment with the director of the child care facility. I explained my concerns to her regarding my observations of the inappropriate conduct of my co-worker. Once again, it was explained to me that the co-worker I was reporting "has years of experience".

I specifically asked why, after just a few days, I was being made to feel like I was the only one who was picking up this feeling about this worker. Why hadn't anyone else reported her in the past? It was really obvious to me that something wasn't right. The director explained "She may be quirky, but nothing has ever been reported about her." She also underscored that I was a recent hire as well as a part -time employee and I should leave my concerns with those who have been working at the center for years and for many more hours. The director told me the buck stopped with her and she would take my report "under advisement."

I had gone thru two lines of fire, and I while I was feeling beat down, I still had the hope the director would investigate my complaint. After all she had "taken it under advisement". Certainly this meant she would check out my story? Sadly, it didn't and I was too young and inexperienced to realize my concerns were being dismissed by my supervisors and my report was going to be filed in the round filing cabinet in her office. I continued to work at the center. Despite how helpless I felt about the situation, my friends all assured me I had done what I could given the system I was working under and surely something was being done, just that I wasn't being made privy.

4 months later I got married and moved to another state. One day I picked up our ringing telephone and on the other end, was a former co-worker from the child development center. She didn't have all the details, but she was calling to let me know there had been multiple arrests at the center that week and it was possible that the director had also been arrested. Turns out the worker I had been concerned about had been molesting children at the center, possibly for years. It also turned out that other co-workers knew about it, and those that did, were also being held responsible. At last count, the authorities suspect at least 14 children were victimized during the past year prior to the arrests.

How could this happen? Remember "she has worked here for years"? Yes, and while cameras are all over the center, this woman, because she had been there for years, knew the bathrooms did not have cameras. In the bathroom is where this woman molested scores of children.

I hung up the phone and sobbed. 14 children victimized. 13 families, inconsolable. Hundreds of futures forever changed.

On that very day I decided to become a social worker. Never again would I allow any system to stop me from advocating for families and keeping families safe. I now have 14 little voices inside of my head that say "Keep going, don't stop. Get answers, follow your gut. Do it!" Despite all the work I have done in 17 years, the thousands of families I have helped, I am haunted by what I was not able to prevent 17 years ago. At the same time, I thank the ghost for giving me inspiration to do the work I do.

And that, is the story of "Why Devra Became A Social Worker"

Editorial Note: Much has changed for the military in 17 years. Currently the child development centers at military installations offer some of the best childcare in the world. These child care faciliites have received awards and recognition for their programming (on site as well as home-based) and dedicated personnel. Take a look and see what these programs look like and then write to your state representative and ask "Why can't we get something like this in our community? Look, here is a program that works outside of Sweden and it is run by our own country!"