Child Abuse

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. Certain professionals are mandated by law to notify the Department of Children and Families if they suspect that any child has been, or is at risk of being, abused and neglected.

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 Children and Families (DCF) offices, local mental health centers, medical facilities and the District Attorney's Office.

The Essex Children's Advocacy Center is a multidisciplinary partnership of professionals that investigates allegations of child abuse and coordinates services for children and families in a child-friendly, culturally sensitive way. The Center strives to reduce the impact of trauma on victims and families, while increasing access to child and family advocates, medical and mental health evaluation and treatment, and the criminal justice system. Education, outreach and training are provided by the Center to prevent the further abuse of children and to enhance the safety of the community.

The Essex County Child Fatality Review Team has, as its primary focus, the review of child deaths in Essex County for the purpose of coming to a collective understanding of deaths and injuries that may have been preventable. The team promotes interagency collaboration among key agencies that respond to child deaths and through this collaboration is better equipped to understand the causes and incidence of child deaths in Essex County.