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That is not surprising. If anything, it is surprising that more caseworkers are not physically assaulted while working to protect the children who themselves have been victimized by abusive parents, relatives or other caregivers.
A person who attacks or molests a child – especially someone who does that to his or her own child – already rejects one of the most basic societal taboos. So assaulting a caseworker the abuser views as a threat is a logical progression.
“We don’t have weapons, we don’t have training in self defense, we didn’t go through a police academy, and we’re dealing with the same people they are,” Holly Jones, a Texas Child Protective Services social worker in Austin, told The Associated Press.
“Willingness to enter drug-infested projects, high-crime neighborhoods or homes of people who have been accused of neglecting or abusing their child are signs of the commitment to the safety of children held by social workers,” writes Vicki Hansen, the executive director of the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
“As first responders for troubled families, dedicated social workers and caseworkers far too often put their own safety in jeopardy to ensure the safety of others,” Hansen continues.
The violent death last week of Sally Blackwell, the Victoria-based South Texas CPS regional supervisor, focused attention on the danger the agency’s caseworkers face when dealing with parents and other adults who have or may have abused or molested their children.
The Victoria County Sheriff’s Department and the Victoria Police Department have not made any arrests yet, nor have they said they believe Blackwell’s death was work-related.
Nonetheless, for CPS caseworkers, “threats are pretty commonplace,” said Patrick Crimmins, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. “But actual physical violence is relatively rare. …
“But when you’re investigating reports of child abuse, that work is inherently stressful and obviously can lead to conflict,” he said. “There is no question about that.”
Are CPS caseworkers adequately trained to deal with those threats?
“In Texas, newly hired caseworkers receive half a day of safety training, and the issue frequently comes up during the 12-week course as instructors cover other topics, such as how to conduct a home visit,” The Associated Press reported.
“Our rule No. 1 is you can leave if you ever feel threatened. Put safety first. You can always come back with a colleague or law enforcement to continue the investigation,” said Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the agency. “But don’t stay in a situation that’s dangerous.”
Social workers are also taught such techniques as not parking in spots where their vehicles can get trapped by another car and not sitting down inside homes in places where their access to exits is blocked, he said.
“We teach them to look around for anything that could be a danger to them and to ask if there’s anybody in the home who might object to them being there,” Van Deusen said.
Beyond that, supervisors encourage caseworkers to report threats so they and their managers can decide whether to call in law enforcement.
Is this enough? And should Child Protective Services keep statistics on threats against social workers, as the agency does not now do?
Texas Gov. Rick Perry proclaimed March to be Professional Social Workers Month in Texas.
“Focused on ensuring the well-being of Texans throughout our great state, social workers perform diverse services. From counseling to assistance in managing relationships and helping people overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges, social workers assist their fellow Texans in being better able to function and excel in their environment,” the governor’s proclamation says.
“I encourage all Texans to recognize the important role professional social workers play in ensuring the success of their fellow Texans. Through their expertise and commitment, they are making a difference,” Perry adds.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services experienced a severe crisis over the past few years, resulting from being underfunded, understaffed, undertrained and unable to retain some experienced caseworkers.
“Despite ‘reforms’ made during the last regular legislative session, Texas continues to seriously underfund services” to protect children, Hansen writes.
The governor’s proclamation honoring social workers is well-deserved. But it is not enough. Job-related or not, the tragic death of a dedicated CPS social worker-supervisor should focus attention on making sure the agency Blackwell worked for has the resources – including enhanced security and safety training for caseworkers – it needs to make the kind of difference vulnerable Texans need it to make.