We are Suffolk County’s only not-for-profit organization that coordinates the efforts of child protection, law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates, medical and mental health experts under one roof.

We provide a prompt, sensitive, interagency response to child abuse so that every child and family can focus on healing. 

Since 1995, we have served thousands of children, averaging 1500 referrals each year.

Learn why CACs help

CACs arose from the need for coordination and communication among the multiple agencies responding to abuse.  When child abuse is suspected, many professionals become involved.  CACs minimize the number of times a child has to talk about their abuse, coordinate service delivery and reduce the risk of a child being re-traumatized.

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To learn more, visit the National Children’s Alliance.

Suffolk CAC History

The nonprofit Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County (CAC) was established in 1995 by its partners.  United by a vision of ensuring access to streamlined, expert care for all child victims and their families, the program began providing multidisciplinary team investigations and forensic interviews at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.  

From the start, the CAC sought to create a child-friendly Center where all services could be provided in one location.  In 2006, the CAC moved to the Family Justice Center of Boston co-locating with the Boston Police Department’s Family Justice Division and other partners.  In this new space, the CAC expanded its programming to include on-site medical and mental health services.

Since 2006, the CAC has continued to improve and expand its services with the creation of the Support to End Exploitation Now (SEEN) program for high risk and exploited youth and the addition of evidence-based trauma interventions including the Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) and Problematic Sexual Behavior-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT).

Over more than 20 years, the CAC and its multidisciplinary team have served thousands of children and families.  Looking ahead, we are committed to continuous improvement and expanding services to ensure access for all to expert and compassionate care.