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The Norfolk District Attorney's Sexual Assault, Child Abuse and Elder Abuse Unit provides investigation, prosecution and victim assistance in cases involving child abuse. The Unit consists of Assistant District Attorneys, Victim Witness Advocates and State Troopers who are specially trained to address child abuse.

Child Sexual Abuse

The Sexual Abuse Intervention Network (SAIN) for Norfolk County has been developed as a joint effort between the District Attorney's Office (DA's Office) and the Department of Social Services (DSS) to coordinate services for child sexual abuse victims and their families. The primary goal of the SAIN Team is to reduce the number of times a child will have to be interviewed by different professionals. The Team is also designed to quickly respond to the needs of the child and the child's family and to allow (non-offending) parents and guardians the earliest opportunity to obtain information about the various agencies working with their family. The Team includes representative staff members from the Distirct Attorney's Office, the Department of Social Services and State and/or Local Police Departments. These representatives include specialized investigators, Victim/Witness Advocates, Social Workers and Assistant District Attorneys.

Additional information concerning the Child Sexual Abuse Intervention Network "SAIN" is available in District Attorney Morrissey's SAIN brochure. To request a copy of this brochure, go to Publications. Online viewing will be available shortly.

Department of Social Services

The Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS) is the state agency that receives and responds to child abuse and neglect reports and provides an array of services to children and families across the Commonwealth.

How Does DSS Become Involved?

Families come to DSS in one of three ways. First, and most often, is through the filing of a 51A, which is an allegation that a child has been abused or neglected or is at risk of abuse or neglect. Additionally, families can come to DSS and request voluntary services or a court may order that DSS provide services to families. DSS becomes involved through the filing of a report of suspected abuse (called a 51A) by:

A mandated reporter

A non-mandated reporter DSS Offices

Main Office: Massachusetts Department of Social Services 24 Farnsworth Street Boston, Massachusetts 02210 (617) 748-2400
DSS Area Offices Serving the Norfolk District
Arlington Office (781)641-8500 Canton, Dedham, Foxborough, Medfield, Millis, Needham, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Walpole, Wellesley, Westwood, Wrentham
Blackstone Valley Office (508)234-1000 Franklin, Medway
Brockton Office (508)894-3700 Avon, Holbrook, Stoughton
Coastal Office (781)682-0800 Braintree, Cohasset, Milton, Quincy, Randolph, Weymouth
Dimock Office (617)989-2800 Brookline
Framingham Office(508) 424-0100 Dover

Who is a Mandated Reporter of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect?

Massachusetts Law (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 section 51A) defines the term "mandated reporter." Under this law the following are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect:

  • public safety professionals, including firefighters and police officers
  • most medical personnel, including physicians, nurses, medical and hospital personnel involved in care or treatment, psychologists and dentists
  • most public and private school personnel, including teachers, administrators, guidance counselors and school psychologists
  • most mental health professionals, including social workers, allied mental health professionals, drug or alcohol counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical social workers
  • many court professionals, including probation officers, the clerk/magistrate of a district court and parole officers
  • other people who regularly deal with children, including day care workers, foster parents or any person paid to care for or work with a child
  • allied human service professionals

When Must a Mandated Reporter Make a 51A Report to DSS?

Any person who is a mandated reporter is required to file a report of suspected abuse or neglect if s/he has "reasonable cause to believe that a child under the age of 18 is suffering from physical or emotional injury...including sexual abuse, or from neglect."

Who Else Can Make a Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect?

Even if you are not mandated to report suspected abuse or neglect, you may save a child from further harm if you report your suspicions to the Massachusetts Department of Social Service's Child-at-Risk Hotline: 1-800-792-5200.

How is the Term "Abuse" Defined?

Abuse is defined by Department of Social Services Regulations as: A non-accidental act by a caretaker creating substantial risk of:

  • physical injury
  • serious emotional injury

or any act constituting a sexual offense

What Are Possible Signs and Symptoms of Child Physical Abuse?

Possible indicators of child physical abuse include:

 
Physical Indicators Behavioral Indicators
  • Difficulty in walking or sitting.
  • Torn, stained or bloody underwear.
  • Genital/anal itching, pain, swelling or bleeding or burning.
  • Frequent urinary tract or yeast infections.
  • Venereal disease.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Frequent psychosomatic illnesses.
  • Extreme fear for no apparent reason.
  • Inability to trust.
  • Anger and hostility.
  • Inappropriate sexual behavior.
  • Depression.
  • Guilt or shame.
  • Sudden drop in school performance.
  • Somatic complaints.
  • Sleep disturbances.
  • Eating disorders.
  • Phobic or avoidant behavior.
  • Regressive behavior.
  • Self-destructive behavior.
  • Suicidal gestures or statements.
  • Running away (especially for females).
  • Fire setting; fascination with fire.

 

How is the Term "Neglect" Defined?

Department of Social Services Regulations define the word "neglect" as:
A caretaker's failure to act (an "omission"); to provide minimally adequate necessities such as:
  • food
  • clothing
  • shelter
  • medical care
  • supervision
  • emotional stability
  • growth
  • other essential care

What Are Possible Signs and Symptoms of Child Neglect?

 
Physical Indicators Behavioral Indicators
  • Poor growth pattern.
  • Constant hunger, malnutrition.
  • Poor hygiene, body odor or lice.
  • Clothing inappropriate for climate.
  • Constant fatigue.
  • Consistent lack of supervision, especially for long periods or in dangerous conditions.
  • Unexplained bruises or injuries as a result of poor supervision.
  • Unattended physical problems or medical needs such as lack of proper immunizations, gross dental problems, needs glasses/hearing aids.
  • Developmental lags.
  • Begs or steals food, forages through garbage; always hungry.
  • Destructive to self and/or others.
  • Extremes in behavior-- aggressive and withdrawn.
  • Assumes adult responsibilities.
  • Exhibits infantile behavior.
  • Delinquent behavior.
  • Depressed/apathetic; states "no one cares."
  • Frequent school absences or chronic tardiness.
  • Seeks attention and/or attention.
  • Hypochondria.

Who is a Caretaker?

Each of the following are considered a caretaker with respect to an abused or neglected child:

  • parent
  • stepparent
  • guardian
  • any household member
  • any other person entrusted with the responsibility for a child's health or welfare (e.g. babysitter, daycare worker, foster parent, etc.)

How Does the District Attorney's Office Become Involved in a DSS Case?

DSS must notify the district attorney of the county in which the child resides when there is reasonable cause to believe that, as a result of abuse or neglect, a child has:

  • died
  • been sexually assaulted
  • suffered brain damage, loss or substantial impairment of a bodily function or organ or substantial disfigurement
  • been sexually exploited
  • suffered serious bodily injury as the result of a pattern of repetitive actions by a family member.

National Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publishes annual reports on child maltreatment in the United States². The most recent Child Maltreatment Report (1998) is available online at: http://www.calib.com/nccanch/pubs/factsheets/canstats.htm

Help Is Available

If you or someone you know needs help, call:
Massachusetts Department of Social Services
Child-at-Risk Hotline: 1-800-792-5200 Parental Stress Hotline: 1-800-632-8188 Parents Anonymous: 1-800-882-1250 Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children: (6l7) 376-7100

Information and Resources

There are a number of excellent sources of child abuse protection information and resources. Some of these include:

American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law
541 N. Fairbanks Court
Chicago, IL 60611
312-988-5522
http://www.abanet.org/child/

The American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law focuses on improving children's lives through advances in law, justice, knowledge, practice and public policy.
Child Abuse Prevention Network (CAPN)
Martha Van Rensselaer Hall
Family Life Development Center
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-255-3888
http://child-abuse.com/

CAPN provides information on child abuse to parents, children, educators and health care professionals. This information includes statistics, prevention organizations and services, shelters and news articles relating to child abuse prevention. This site also contains links to other related information.

Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS)
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
617-624-6000
http://www.mass.gov/dss/

The Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS) is the state agency that receives and responds to child abuse and neglect reports and provides an array of services to children and families across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
399 Boylston Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02116
617-587-1500
http://www.mspcc.org

The MSPCC is dedicated to protecting the rights of children and their families. In Massachusetts, they provide prevention, education and treatment services through a statewide network of program offices. Their website offers information on programs and services offered by the MSPCC, upcoming events, press releases and links to other sites.

National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) Clearinghouse
330 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20447
800-394-3366
http://www.calib.com/nccanch/

The Clearinghouse is a national resource for professionals seeking information on the prevention, identification and treatment of child abuse and neglect and related child welfare issue


Footnotes:
  1. Family Violence: Legal, Medical and Social Perspectives. Harvey Wallace. Allyn and Bacon, Boston. 1996, pp. 63-64. Adapted from Richard Layman, Current Issues-Volume 1: Child Abuse. (Omnigraphics, Inc., Detroit) 1990, p. 37. Originally circulated by the Children's Safety Project in Manhattan.
  2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Child Maltreatment 1998: Reports from the States to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2000). The report is based on responses from the States to the 1998 National Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting System.