A Message from Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan
The rate of child abuse in the Northwestern District is one of the highest in the state.
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office works with law enforcement, social services, and medical professionals to identify the best practices for improving child abuse investigations and prosecutions.
At the Northwestern District Attorney's Children Advocacy Center (CAC), established in 2006, we put these best practices into action.
The CAC, based in Northampton, is a welcoming, child-friendly location where children who may be victims of physical and sexual abuse, and their families, can receive many of the services they need during the criminal investigative process, all under one roof. There is a satellite site in Greenfield to minimize how far families have to travel to receive services.
The trustees of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School and Cooley Dickinson Hospital have partnered with the Northwestern District Attorney's Children's Advocacy Project, a not-for-profit fundraising arm of the CAC, to provide a house equipped with a medical suite.
Here, children who are suspected of being the victims of physical and sexual abuse may be interviewed in a coordinated interview process, outside of a police station, to reduce the number of times a child victim has to speak with investigators. The child may be medically examined at the CAC by trained medical providers outside of a hospital Emergency Room to minimize the trauma he or she experiences. Referrals for follow-up medical and mental health services are also available.
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office places a high priority on conducting the most effective investigations and prosecutions of child abuse cases. We will continue to implement and support child abuse prevention initiatives and community collaborations aimed at reducing the number of victimized children and helping abused children heal.
Please know that each of us can make a difference to promote a safe environment where children are free from sexual and physical abuse and neglect, and where all children are treated with dignity and respect.
Very truly yours,
David E. Sullivan
Northwestern District Attorney
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office works with law enforcement, social services, and medical professionals to identify the best practices for improving child abuse investigations and prosecutions.
At the Northwestern District Attorney's Children Advocacy Center (CAC), established in 2006, we put these best practices into action.
The CAC, based in Northampton, is a welcoming, child-friendly location where children who may be victims of physical and sexual abuse, and their families, can receive many of the services they need during the criminal investigative process, all under one roof. There is a satellite site in Greenfield to minimize how far families have to travel to receive services.
The trustees of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School and Cooley Dickinson Hospital have partnered with the Northwestern District Attorney's Children's Advocacy Project, a not-for-profit fundraising arm of the CAC, to provide a house equipped with a medical suite.
Here, children who are suspected of being the victims of physical and sexual abuse may be interviewed in a coordinated interview process, outside of a police station, to reduce the number of times a child victim has to speak with investigators. The child may be medically examined at the CAC by trained medical providers outside of a hospital Emergency Room to minimize the trauma he or she experiences. Referrals for follow-up medical and mental health services are also available.
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office places a high priority on conducting the most effective investigations and prosecutions of child abuse cases. We will continue to implement and support child abuse prevention initiatives and community collaborations aimed at reducing the number of victimized children and helping abused children heal.
Please know that each of us can make a difference to promote a safe environment where children are free from sexual and physical abuse and neglect, and where all children are treated with dignity and respect.
Very truly yours,
David E. Sullivan
Northwestern District Attorney