Hidden crimes can have public victims. While child abuse, dependent adult abuse, and elder abuse often take place behind the scenes, library employees may see examples of these crimes in their work environment. Caregivers, parents, and perpetrators may interact with their victims in the library, meaning library employees have the opportunity to help initiate an investigative process by social workers and law enforcement to protect these vulnerable populations.
- Who is an elderly person in your state? (It varies, at age 65 in many and age 60 in some.)
- Who is a “dependent adult” in your state?
- What agencies, beyond Child Protective Services (CPS) and Adult Protective Services (APS) can assist with suspected abuse cases?
- What is the primary motive for elder abuse?
- What are the primary types of child abuse?
- How to be a “professional witness” versus intervening in an actual abuse case.
- How can library employees remain safe while reporting abuse?
- How might elder abuse or child abuse perpetrators use our Internet systems to find victims?
- What is a “sweetheart scam” involving an elderly victim?
About the Speaker
DR. STEVE ALBRECHT. Since 2000, Dr. Steve Albrecht has trained thousands of library employees in 28+ states, live and online, in service, safety, security, and supervision. His programs are fast, entertaining, and provide tools that can be put to use immediately in the library workspace with all types of patrons. In 2015, the ALA published his book, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities. He is currently writing the sequel, The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure, for Rowman & Littlefield. Steve holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessment. He has written 24 books on business, security, and leadership topics. He lives with six dogs, two cats, and three chickens. (Not all in the same room, of course.)
