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The Essex District Attorney's Office realizes that a safe, violence-free home is not a reality for many families today. While women, men, children and elders are abused in the home, women are most often the victims of family violence, suffering from physical, emotional or sexual abuse by a partner or loved one.
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Domestic Violence or family violence is the abuse of power and control. It is behavior used by one person to control another through force or threats
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Abusive partners have a need to control. They will use physical as well as psychological means to do so. It has been documented that their public behavior differs greatly from private behavior and they have many excuses for their behavior. These excuses include claiming loss of control, attributing their behavior to alcohol/drug abuse, minimizing or denying their conduct, citing their good intentions and placing blame on others (often the victim). The following are signs to look for in an abusive personality:
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Though there are many reasons why victims of domestic violence find it difficult to leave the abusive relationship, the following list represents some of the reasons.
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The Essex District Attorney's Office is committed to ensuring that crimes against persons with disabilities are thoroughly investigated and when possible, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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Child abuse is harm to or neglect of a child by an adult or another child. The effects of child abuse go beyond the abused child and extend into our communities. When parents, step-parents grandparents, caregivers and other children physically, sexually, verbally or emotionally assault a child, the injury often has long term consequences on the child's physical and psych-social growth and development. Certain forms of abuse are serious enough to be a crime.
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ECCAP, the Essex County Child Abuse Project, an innovative multidisciplinary response to the investigation of child abuse allegations. The Project coordinates county-wide, interagency cooperation between all 34 police departments, the State Police Detectives, four area Department of Social Service (DSS) offices, local mental health centers, medical facilities and the District Attorney's Office.
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As District Attorney, my primary responsibility is the swift and fair prosecution of criminal acts. However many crimes, particularly those against seniors, go unreported. This is particularly true of domestic abuse cases. My office is reaching out to the senior community to raise awareness of domestic violence in an effort to encourage victims to come forward and report the abuse. Only then can we act to stop it.
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The Victim Rights Law, M.G.L. c. 258B, provides certain rights to victims, their family members and witnesses. If you are involved in the prosecution of a criminal case, it is particularly important to know and understand your rights. Victim witness advocates are located in each court and are available to help you understand your rights. Always be sure to provide the advocate or the prosecutor with your most current address and telephone number
