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What is the Essex County Children’s Advocacy Center?

When a child experiences abuse or witnesses a violent crime, they often feel scared and confused about what happens next. Non-offending family members are wrestling with their own mix of emotions and can find it difficult to know what steps to take next.

It is our goal at the Essex Children’s Advocacy Center to minimize the trauma that children and non-offending caregivers may experience after a report of abuse by coordinating the efforts of child protection professionals, law enforcement, prosecutors, victim witness advocates, specially trained medical experts, and mental health services.

The ECAC is a nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center through the National Children’s Alliance. We currently have two locations to allow children and families throughout Essex County to have access to our center and services. Our primary location is located in Salem, MA but we also have another location in Lawrence, MA. The medical suite, where children can get access to Pedi-Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Pedi-SANE) services in Essex County, is located in the site Lawrence.

The Essex Children’s Advocacy Center Response

When an allegation of child abuse or exploitation is made, the Essex Children’s Advocacy Center calls upon a team of professionals who form a circle-of-protection, coordinating to ensure an effective and child-centered response.

1

Forensic Interview

Forensic interviews are conducted by a specially trained professional to talk to children in a neutral, safe, and child-friendly environment while an investigative team watches from another room. The interview is part of the investigation and is recorded on video.

2

Medical Exam

Specialized medical evaluations and consultations are offered by a Pedi-SANE Nurse Practitioner to ensure the health and safety of children, to document any evidence of abuse, to reassure the child, and to refer for additional care as needed.

3

Advocacy

Victim Witness Advocates focus on the needs of the children and the non-offending caregiver(s), providing support, referrals and information throughout the investigative and court process.

4

Mental Health Referrals

The Essex Children’s Advocacy Center has a Mental Health Coordinator/Clinician who can either offer direct services or refer children and their non-offending family members to local mental health providers. These clinicians specialize in working with children who have experienced abuse, trauma, or who are exhibiting problematic sexual behavior (PSB).

5

Community Education and Prevention

The Essex Children’s Advocacy Center provides a vital community service by offering education and community awareness presentations as well as trainings on relevant and vital safety issues.

Signs of Child Abuse

Below are indicators of child abuse that can include but are not limited to these signs.

Some signs that a child is experiencing violence or abuse are more obvious than others. Trust your instincts. Suspected abuse is enough reason to contact the authorities. You do not need proof.

Unexplained Injuries

Visible signs of physical abuse may include unexplained burns or bruises, sometimes in the shape of objects. You may also hear explanations of a child’s injuries that don't make sense.

Changes in Behavior

Abuse can lead to many changes in a child’s behavior. Abused children often appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.

Returning to Earlier Behaviors

Abused children may display behaviors shown at earlier ages, such as thumb sucking, bed wetting, fear of the dark or strangers. For some children, even loss of acquired language or memory problems may occur.

Fear of Going Places

Abused children may express apprehension or anxiety about leaving school or about going places with the person who is abusing them.

Changes in Eating

Distress, fear and anxiety caused by abuse can lead to changes in a child’s eating behavior, which may result in weight gain or weight loss.

Changes in Sleeping

Abused children may have frequent nightmares or have difficulty falling asleep, and as a result may appear tired or fatigued.

Changes In School Performance and Attendance

Abused children may have difficulty concentrating in school or have excessive absences, sometimes due to adults trying to hide the children’s injuries from authorities.

Lack Of Personal Care Or Hygiene

Abused and neglected children may appear uncared-for. They may present as consistently dirty and have severe body odor, or they may lack sufficient clothing for the weather.

Risk-taking Behaviors

Young people who are being abused may engage in high-risk activities such as using drugs or alcohol or carrying a weapon.

Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors.

Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized behavior or use explicit sexual language.

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