Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Child‑advocacy centers seek statutory recognition to protect abused children statewide (H233/S112)
Loading...
Summary
The Massachusetts Children's Alliance and local Children's Advocacy Centers urged the committee to pass bills (H233/S112) that would codify and protect the CAC model in state law; testimony stressed that CACs served 6,709 children in one 12‑month period and that Massachusetts is one of four states without enabling statute
Boston — Leaders of the Massachusetts Children's Alliance and local child‑advocacy centers told the Joint Committee that codifying children's advocacy centers (CACs) in state statute would protect an evidence‑based, multidisciplinary model that serves thousands of child victims of sexual abuse, trafficking and other serious maltreatment.
"Children's advocacy centers provide a trauma‑informed multidisciplinary response to allegations of child sexual abuse and trafficking," Tom King, executive director of the Massachusetts Children's Alliance, said in opening testimony supporting Senate Bill S112 and House Bill H233. He told the committee that in a 12‑month period ending Feb. 2024, Massachusetts CACs served 6,709 children.
Local CAC leaders stressed the model's benefits: a single trained interviewer, coordinated investigations, access to specialized medical and mental‑health care, and reduced need for repeated interviews that can retraumatize children. "That interview is recorded as well... it often results in a resolution of the case that doesn't include the child having to testify," Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said when called to testify.
Witnesses pointed out that Massachusetts is one of four U.S. states without enabling CAC legislation; they asked the committee to report the bills favorably to ensure consistent funding, statewide standards and statutory protection for the CAC model.
Bristol County's CAC leaders described serving more than 800 children last year, including cases involving exploitation and youth missing from care. Proponents said codifying CACs would preserve coordinated practices across administrations and sustain state and federal funding distributed through the statewide coalition.
The committee did not take action at the hearing; sponsors and CAC representatives said they would supply additional written materials and data to support the bills.
