On the evening of the arrest, shocked and tearful parents, grandparents, and teachers filled the school gym. Shawn Scholten, a mental health counselor at the Creative Living Center, a nearby counseling agency, spoke about trauma, grief, loss, and how parents could help their children. Scholten’s college-aged daughter had been in Van Dam’s class years before, though not a victim. In 30 years of counseling, Scholten had never seen such a somber crowd. She explained that the children were not the only victims: “secondary victims” included school staff, church members, and family and friends of the abused who now feared for their children’s safety and wondered whom they could trust.
The Mercy Child Advocacy Center (MCAC) in Sioux City, about 45 miles from Sioux Center, became a stop for primary victims to talk—and police to hear. Children used paper and crayons while forensic interviewers asked them questions. Investigators in a separate room watched a live-stream video feed and used a two-way radio to communicate with the interviewer.
Sexual abuse situations are isolating, so talking through the abuse helps kids heal and realize they are not alone, said MCAC manager Amy Scarmon. MCAC typically saw victims only once. She said rehashing experiences more than that may not be helpful.
‘This hurt was all here before—now we just know about it. We’re actually closer to healing today than we were … when we didn’t know this was happening.’ —Aaron Baart
Some wondered how Van Dam hid the abuse for so long. One father, Jason Lief, recalled that three years earlier his son refused to play basketball: Van Dam was the basketball coach. But Van Dam had a squeaky clean record—he is married with two young children and started teaching at SCCS after graduating from Dordt in 2004. In 2014 Dordt awarded him a Master in Education degree. His thesis argued that character development is crucial: “Teachers need to create classroom environments that allow values to be modeled, and classroom environments where the students feel safe to model the values.”
One father, Paul Dezeeuw, has lived in Sioux Center for half a century and has worked at Sioux Center’s Co-op Gas and Oil for 21 years. He said, “Who’s going to want to … tell their mom and dad, ‘Teacher’s touching me?’ You’d be scared to death to say something. I mean, I would be.”
Two days after Van Dam’s arrest, the school posted a video of young SCCS students in colorful T-shirts singing in the gym. “In the good things and in the hardest parts,” the kids belted, “I believe, and I will follow You!” The caption praised God for “working mightily” at the school and for His faithfulness.
Churches organized meetings to help the community grieve. One weekend at the First Reformed Church, attendees gathered an hour before their Sunday service to pray. Faith Christian Reformed Church families prepared and brought meals to Mrs. Van Dam, and women from the church visited her.
Comments
Peter Allen
Posted: Sat, 08/18/2018 04:18 pmWith the high recidivism rate for such offenders, let them leave their "equipment" at the door when they leave prison.
NBrooks
Posted: Mon, 08/20/2018 02:16 pmReading this article, I am so proud of my brothers and sisters. Thank you, God. Jesus is shown beautifully through this horrid ordeal.
PJG
Posted: Sat, 08/25/2018 07:41 amToo often we do not learn about sexual predators for years. It is good the church is actively trying to address the issues once they learn of it, but all too often people, especially kids see the church as the least comfortable place to bring up sexual issues. Though the bible has many explicit sexual references and very openly discusses sexual sin, too often pwemake sure to stay "PG". This communicates that it is not ok to talk about sex in church and delays victims coming forward. This needs to change so our kids are comfortable talking about sex in church to protect them and our church leaders.
BS
Posted: Mon, 09/10/2018 01:54 pmBless your hearts World staff... these situations need to be brought to the light as a warning to the rest of the Church... I'm so thankful we (society) have come a long way in reporting this to the civil authorities immediately - sad though that the secular authorities are responding better than the Church has historically to situations of abuse... Sadly, the stats indicate 96% of victims would NOT recommend going to the church for help... and yet, ironically, over 80% of pastors say their church is a safe place for those who have experienced domestic violence... HUGE disconnect...