Sickos fuel the need for drastic action

By RON BROCHU

Denial? Lack of knowledge? Neither justify the lack of strong policies to prevent sexual impropriety in a school system, or any other institution – especially where children are present. So it’s troubling that the Superior School district again finds itself grappling with such allegations.

In 2006, a Superior student accused music instructor Brian MacDonnell of conducting himself inappropriately during a lesson in which the teacher and student were alone in a classroom. To its credit, the district refused to renew MacDonnell’s contract, and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in September declined to renew his teaching license.

But in recent weeks, allegations of another incident have emerged. And again, a student and adult were alone – a circumstance that gives the older person a disproportionate ability to manipulate a child and to deny any accusations that might arise. This time, a former school teacher faces a charge of third degree sexual assault. Hennepin County investigators say retired instructor William Rehnstrand assaulted a Superior High School student while mentoring the boy with his senior project. According to a criminal complaint, the incident occurred in Eden Prairie, Minn. Rehnstrand, who is credited with founding the mock trial program in Wisconsin, served on the Superior School Board when the incident allegedly occurred. He resigned that post without explanation on Sept. 22.

Those familiar with child sexual abuse know it typically occurs within the family – or the extended family. Court documents typically paint a situation in which a relative or domestic partner, a person the child usually trusts, initiates abuse while providing care in the absence of parents. Overall, a minority of abuse occurs in other settings, although it tends to receive the most attention, particularly when clergy are involved.

Although the minority of abuse occurs within institutions, they must work harder to ensure sexual abuse is not facilitated through their policies, or lack thereof, and that’s the issue in Superior. In fact, it’s an issue nationwide, having emerged during the presidential campaign, when Republicans took the wrong position for the wrong reason.

GOP operatives purchased ads stating Barack Obama wanted to initiate sex education in kindergarten. Trying to paint Obama as intruding on parental rights, they didn’t explain he was merely advocating a “good-touch-bad touch” program – which already exists for older kids in many communities. It’s inconceivable that a problem as insidious as child sexual abuse would be politicized in this way, but there’s always an element of society that puts its own interests above those of others – including society’s most vulnerable members.

Outside of the political realm, however, some other groups have learned the value of abuse education, including Boy Scouts of America. In Duluth, PAVSA provides an excellent program in which Scouts and their leaders receive instruction in separate rooms. Boys are told how to recognize abuse and urged to report it. Leaders are told to never be alone with boys, and to avoid any type of contact that might be interpreted as suspicious. The Scouting program forbids its leaders from leading boys in the absence of another adult. There always must be at least two leaders present.

And that’s the program flaw that must be addressed by the Superior School district. It’s not a simple one, because students often must seek after-class homework assistance. Both students and staff, however, must understand that such contact can’t be allowed in a society that has lost so much innocence.

The task isn’t impossible. Many schools already are equipped with cameras. It’s time some of them are pointed at instructors. Teachers probably would find the practice invasive and demeaning, but when fighting crimes against children, it’s not fair to monitor some perpetrators while exempting others.

Sadly, the latest incident, if the allegation proves true, occurred within Superior’s senior project program, which challenges kids to firmly demonstrate their mettle before receiving a diploma. It’s a program that deserves to be continued. But without question, one-on-one student-mentor gatherings should be prohibited. This point should be driven home strongly and clearly to students, teachers, parents and the community.

The need for such vigilance is unfortunate, because the overwhelming number of educators are hard-working, intelligent, dedicated individuals who never would harm a student in any way. The number of bad apples nationally is exceedingly low, but their crimes cast a large shadow that can’t be ignored.

Author Ron Brochu welcomes your comments.

Published in the Nov. 21, 2008 Reader Weekly