‘Randolph Cares’ Mobilizes
For a Community in Shock
By Sandy Vondrasek

Last Thursday morning, as the news of the recent discovery of Brooke Bennett’s body left residents reeling with disbelief, grief, and—for many—anger, a group of community leaders was already working to pull together support for all those traumatized by a horrific crime too close to home.

The "Randolph Area Care Team"—comprising local clergy, representatives from the schools, Clara Martin Center, Gifford Medical Center, and from other groups—quickly established emergency services for people suffering from strong stress reactions. A community forum was scheduled for Monday night, July 7. (See sidebar article for a list of services and events.)

The team plans to continue bi-weekly meetings until the "crisis" phase of this community trauma is over, and also to set the groundwork for long-term support for children, teens, and adults affected by Bennett’s abduction and murder.

Rev. Robin Junker told the 75 or so folks who attended Monday night’s forum that the overriding goal is an intelligent and compassionate response by the community—and not thoughtless "reaction."

A major goal, she said, "is to make sure this type of tragedy doesn’t happen again."

Jeff Rothenberg, director of Clara Martin Center’s emergency services for 10 years, also addressed the forum. That the community was awash in strong feelings—including anger and blame—was not surprising, Rothenberg said. The crime was truly a horrific and traumatic one, he said. To illustrate the point, Rothenberg read out the "Terrible 10" situations cited by those who lead "critical incident debriefings" for first responders.

"I list them out like this," he told the crowd, "because it feels to me like our whole community has gone through an awful combination of at least five of these terrible ten.

The five were: Events with a high degree of threat to the person; significant events involving children; events in which the victim is known to the person; events with excessive media interest; events that are prolonged and end with a negative outcome; and any significantly powerful, overwhelming distressing event.

The forum was followed by small group sessions, facilitated by mental health counselors, meetings that gave participants a chance express and accept their—and others’—strong reactions—physical or emotional.

Also speaking at the forum was State Police Capt. David Covell, who urged those who know of any sex abuse to find someone they trust to confide in—and "to get the help you need and deserve."