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Our Take: Online Safety Critical in 2026

December 17, 2025

In 2025, Children’s Cove partnered with The Monomoy Regional School District, Mashpee School District, and The Institute for Responsible Online and Cell Phone Communication (IROC2) to provide online safety and digital mindfulness information to students from 3rd to 8th grade.   The tremendous success of these programs has laid the groundwork for a wider community presentation in 2026.

During his programs, Richard Guerry, Executive Director and Speaker for IROC2, delivers Digital Mindfulness and Online Safety information with infectious energy, ensuring high engagement with students. Following his visits, we received rave reviews and positive feedback from students, teachers, faculty, and parents. With the rapid growth of technology and the concerning rise of online facilitated crimes against children, Children’s Cove is bringing more than a dozen presentations to students and the community in January and February 2026.

Through our dialogue and conversations with students, we gained deeper insight into how much children understand about technology, the risks they face, and the even greater risks they may encounter in the future. What started as a simple engagement exercise last spring led to a sobering realization: children who haven’t even entered high school, who interact regularly with others online, are already finding themselves engaging with people who mean to do harm.

As Richard Guerry states in his presentation, “With new technology comes even faster methods of communication and innovation; these children are ultimately those who face all of the risks.”

While concerns about technology’s impact on children have existed for years, an even greater awareness of these risks is now growing worldwide. In the beginning of 2025, Brazil banned the use of smartphones in their schools, a move currently being discussed here in Massachusetts. In the second week of December this year, the government of Australia banned social media platforms for children under the age of 16. Pediatricians and social scientists are even beginning to discuss whether the implementation of technology as learning devices is having a positive effect at all.

It is our responsibility as a Child Advocacy Center, and as parents and caregivers across our community, to both understand and teach children how to effectively and safely use internet-enabled devices like cell phones, video game systems, and computers. We need to make certain children understand the importance of not sharing personal information online, and that ALL their actions online are Public and Permanent®.

To start the new year, Children’s Cove is proud to be partnered with seven schools and youth-serving organizations to bring this essential information to the children, parents, and caregivers of our community.

Events Schedule: January and February 2026

January 6, 2026:

• Chatham Elementary School, students and faculty, grades 3-4
• Monomoy Regional Middle School, students and faculty, grades 5-7
• Community presentation for parents and community members
  • Monomoy Regional Middle School
  • Time: 6:00pm

January 7, 2026:

• Harwich Elementary School, students and faculty, grades 3-4
• Community Presentation for parents and community members
  • Quashnet Elementary School
  • Time: 6:00pm

January 14, 2026:

• Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girls Club, all participants
• Community Presentation for parents and community members
  • YMCA of Martha’s Vinyard
  • Time: 6:00pm

January 21, 2026

• Pope John Paul II Middle School, students and faculty, grades 5-8
• Community Presentation for parents and community members
  • Pope John Paul II Middle School
  • 6:00pm

January 22, 2026

• Nauset Middle School, students and faculty, grades 5-8
• Community Presentation for parents and community members
  • Nauset Middle School
  • 6:00pm

February 4^th, 2026

• Community Presentation for parents and community members
  • Hyannis Youth and Community Center
  • 6:00pm

We express our deepest gratitude for each school district and community organization that has partnered with Children’s Cove to bring this essential information to the communities we serve. We also want to thank the Friends of Children’s Cove and the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation for providing funds to ensure this critical information reaches Martha’s Vineyard children.

If you are a parent or community member and would like to learn more about these upcoming programs, please contact Jacob Stapledon, Community Engagement and Education Program Manager by emailing him at jacob.stapledon@childrenscove.org 

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How Sensationalism in Social Media Hurts Child Victims

October 17, 2025

In 2018, during a press tour for his movie “Eighth Grade,” comedian Bo Burnham made a statement that in the modern era, with no new land to colonize, corporations now seek to “colonize human attention” through social media. This concept of human attention has been explored and exploited by every means of media throughout every stage of technological evolution.

From the printing press to radio, early TV, the 24-hour news cycle, and now social media, the desire to attract and keep human attention has changed its methods and strategies. Factual and standard reporting is now often overlooked, while sensational headlines and extreme photos have become the standard. With these changing standards, the “adapt or die” mentality has found its way into every media company. Even once reputable and unbiased organizations have taken on this more extreme approach in reporting.

At the same time, a new phenomenon has come to the fore. The additional concept of “citizen journalists” has become a widely accepted and replicated format in the social media spheres, with unchecked reporting on “juicer” stories. Unfortunately, this includes cases involving child victims of crime, and in particular sexual abuse and exploitation. While we have discussed the media’s role in providing factual and trauma-informed reporting, the sensationalism of reporting on  cases involving children by social media content creators is an issue we need to bring to light.

The structure of social media platforms creates a recipe for disaster set against effective and trauma-informed reporting of these types of cases. Successful social media thrives only through engagement. Following an extreme or sensational title, there is no better place to understand the issues we’re describing than by checking the comment section. It is the place people regularly gravitate towards before they’ve completely read an article or finished a video, a forum most often awash with critical comments and vile attributions. Those who are consuming social media are actively looking for the summary, the argument, or an opportunity to join the argument without fully understanding the issue. Repugnant attributions to children being willing participants in clear cases of exploitation or assault are not uncommon in these spaces. This is called victim blaming, and it is dispensed in a callous and unfeeling manner with real consequences.

However, shutting off this proverbial free-for-all is something that can’t be done, without sacrificing the curated algorithms needed to get the post in front of people. While people clicking links and following to longer-form content helps, a frenzied comment section is what leads to increased exposure. As such, a controversial comment section is a busy comment section. This will not only attract the post to those who write these comments (often referred to as rage-baiting) but those who engage in the fiery defender response.

Adding insult to injury, when the algorithms which curate the content for users identify this is what people “want” to see through their engagement, they will be shown more of this type of content. Content will then (by the nature of the platform) need to become even more extreme to garner the same level of attention  earlier posts received. Viewers become desensitized to what they are seeing, hearing, and reading, and the minimization of the victim, – as a human being, as a child  – from the entire equation happens quickly.

This lack of empathy creates a culture of consumption, without question. The story is all too often presented with shocking headlines, controversial engagement, and the creation of conflict in public spaces. And as such, stories to engage and enrage the viewership are created with often nothing more than a headline, a few quotes of limited detail, a request for engagement, and posted in local community forums to let the games begin.

As Denzel Washington stated in a 2016 soundbite, “What is the long-term effect of too much information? One of the effects is the need to be first, not even to be true anymore.” Unfortunately, the rush to be first for reporting cases involving child sexual abuse and exploitation has taken priority over the important questions about what information is being reported, and whether it serves the public interest for safety.

Social media reporting on active cases of child sexual abuse often goes far beyond the scope of public’s need-to-know. This has included intimate details of sexual abuse and assault, children’s statements in police reports or court reporting, and the over-description of the relationship between alleged perpetrators and victims. We have seen cases where photographs of children who may have been victims in cases of family violence have been pulled from private social media accounts and rebroadcasted. What’s more, there have been instances where information included in reports went so far as to identify victims through association or unnecessary ancillary details.

The trickle-down effect of individuals with too much time, the desire for attention, and a social media account has created an unintentional secondary market in the revictimization of the defenseless. Our cultural fascination with the traumatization of others has caused the over-exposure of a victim’s experience and reduces the chances for a victim to be empowered when they are placed under a microscope. When other survivors, who have not yet had the opportunity to step forward to ask for help, see this, read the vitriol in the comments, and see the exposure of private and traumatic experiences as the casual hobby of others – they will not step forward.

Additionally, when the reporting of child sexual abuse and other crimes against children only focuses on the most heinous crimes with the most vulgar descriptions of victimization, it minimizes the experiences of others. The comparison of victimization creates a culture by which those who, in their own experiences, have been a victim of an individual or repeated instance of crime may believe that they are not worthy of help and support. Or, and to a certain degree, worse – they may have their experience shrugged off as others compare their stories to those they have seen in social or news media.

Being a victim of abuse is a subjective trauma – no one can understand the feelings or emotions but the victim. Without a shift to empathy, support, and understanding, we will continue to have a culture where victims of child sexual abuse and assault rarely disclose their abuse.

If we are going to work together to mitigate the stigma of child abuse, create a world where children have voices which are heard, we need to all do our part in toning down the sensationalism we see every day.

At Children’s Cove we want to ensure the facts and information related to child sexual abuse and other crimes against children are brought to the forefront with compassion and care. If you would like to learn more about ways to report or discuss sensitive topics  in a trauma-informed fashion, or receive an educational program at no cost,  please reach out to Jacob Stapledon, Community Engagement and Education Program Manager by emailing him at jacob.stapledon@childrenscove.org 

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When Online Safety Hits Home

August 16, 2025

If you are a parent or caregiver of a child who plays games online, you have probably heard the word Roblox at least a few times. And, if you pay attention to what is happening in online spaces you may have heard that word a few more times in recent weeks, with some concerning language attached to it. We don’t usually weigh in on online hotspots, but this issue hits close to home. It connects directly to work we’ve done in our community in recent months and highlights risks and concerns you should know about.

As a starting point, Roblox is an online platform and game creation system that allows users to create, share, and play millions of games. It’s a virtual universe where users, for the most part children and teens, can interact on platform with over 100 million monthly users. With the exception of in-game payments for various items, the game itself is free for users to play on any gaming system or smartphone, which increases access significantly and helps generate its younger user base. However, this free to play, open access, generative environment is what essentially opens it to being a virtual “wild west.”

Roblox has been facing significant backlash and legal challenges in recent months, primarily centered on child safety issues and the company’s moderation policies. A key theme in these controversies is the allegation that Roblox has prioritized user growth and profits over the safety of its young users. The most serious and pressing concern is the alleged failure of Roblox to protect children from predators. Multiple lawsuits have been filed, including one by the Attorney General of Louisiana and another by a Texas man, alleging the platform’s design and weak moderation have created an environment where child predators can “thrive, unite, hunt, and victimize kids.”

Some of these lawsuits are based on specific cases of exploitation as well as citing a general environment of allowing exploitation to take place. These include:

• A lawsuit in Iowa claims a 13-year-old girl was introduced to a predator on the platform who later kidnapped and sexually assaulted her.
• A Texas man is suing the company, alleging he was groomed and sexually abused as a child by a contracted Roblox developer he met on the platform. The lawsuit claims Roblox was unresponsive to his mother’s pleas for help.
• The lawsuit filed by Louisiana’s Attorney General alleges that despite having a “zero-tolerance policy for the exploitation of minors,” Roblox’s lack of effective age verification and safety protocols puts children at risk.

These lawsuits have a common thread: the company has failed to put effective age checks in place to keep children safe. The court actions also show that Roblox’s content and user moderation is weak at best, allowing sexual and violent material to spread across the platform.

Within the gaming and online community itself there has been a significant social media campaign against Roblox as the company has recently retaliated against users who have highlighted the issue or worked with law enforcement and other organizations to stop online predators on the platform.

One particular user and YouTuber known as “Schelp” with more than 800k subscribers has been one of the most vocal of the issue, posting a video in which he pretends to be a younger child to highlight the issue of predators on the platform. As a result of this action his account was banned, which has contributed to actions taken against the company.

Another user, known as “KreekCraft”, with more than 13 million subscribers on YouTube, generated two videos recently.  One video highlights the creation of a brand new Roblox  account – where in less than 15 seconds the user was engaged with inappropriate content. Another  longform video highlights the recent issues involving the wider Roblox community.

So, what should you know about this, and where does this hit home? As we discussed in our April Newsletter, we had the pleasure of meeting with students from 3^rd to 8^th grade in Mashpee and Monomoy school districts to talk about online safety, digital mindfulness and gaming.  . During the sessions with Richard Guerry from IROC2 , more than half of the 1,400 students we engaged with acknowledged that they played games online. Most of them identified Roblox as the game they played the most, and more than half revealed they communicated with people online.

The risks to children in our community being targeted by predators online is very real. We urge parents to get, and stay, involved in their children’s online lives to observe and understand the overall content on these platforms. The “built-in” safeguards for these games, and others, aren’t enough. Teach your children that communication in games should only be in the game, about the game. Often predators build trust with children on Roblox and then try to move the conversation to less-moderated platforms like Discord or Snapchat. Reinforce that they should never accept invitations to talk off the game platform.

Please,  Take the Pledge and adopt an active role to prevent the sexual exploitation of children. Be smart and be safe online. It’s up to you to prevent online sexual exploitation of children.

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The Hidden Risks: Protecting Children in a Hyper-Connected World

April 21, 2025

On April 15th and 16^th, Children’s Cove partnered with The Monomoy Regional School District, and The Institute for Responsible Online and Cell Phone Communication (IROC2) to provide education and digital mindfulness information to students from 3rd grade to 7th grade. Through our dialogue and conversation with students, one of the biggest takeaways for us highlights a serious misunderstanding of how much children understand about technology, the risks they face, and the even greater risks they may yet face in the future.

Richard Guerry, Executive Director and Speaker of IROC2, conducts his presentations with infectious energy so as to best engage with students. Some of the findings shared by students are surprising and certainly pose concern. When 3rd and 4th graders were asked if they knew what AI was, more than 60% of students raised their hands, were able to verbalize what AI meant – and to a certain degree, what it does. In all grade levels, the majority of students identified that they were what they self-described as “gamers”, additionally admitting that regardless of whatever rules there are in their homes, the majority of students communicated with other people online. Even more disturbing, not only to our team but for staff, teachers and administrators within the schools, is the fact that half of students who report playing a particular online game, also reported they have been hacked online or knew someone who had been.

What started as a simple exercise to engage with students led to the realization that children who haven’t even entered high school, who interact regularly with other people online, are already finding themselves engaging with people who mean to do harm. As Richard states in his presentation, “With new technology comes even faster methods of communication and innovation; these children are ultimately those who face all of the risks.”

Unfortunately for us this isn’t a new issue, but a constantly evolving one.  For many years, there has been an emphasis on educating teens about the risks of sexting and sharing nudes. This is still a critical issue, not only from the cases we have seen regionally, but direct disclosures from students in local schools and information gained from our Teen TASK Force members. While we need to continue to address these concerns of children sharing nude image and videos if we only act reactively, we are falling behind what’s next.

As a Children’s Advocacy Center, we must look at a broader scope of our work with all issues posing a risk to children. Nationally, we have seen the trends of sexual exploitation change significantly since the onset of Covid-19. With the rapid integration of the physical and online worlds, risk factors for sexual exploitation and human trafficking have shifted. Following a first of its kind study, there is evidence more children from different backgrounds are at a greater risk for sexual exploitation today as compared to before the pandemic.

A clear understanding of the definition of findings in this pre- vs. post-pandemic assessment is important as we adapt to an increasing electronic threat faced by our children. Researchers noted “CSE [child sexual exploitation] profiles of youth identified since the onset of the pandemic significantly diverged from profiles of young people identified prior to the pandemic …. A new profile emerged among youth referred for concerns of CSE since the pandemic which involved young people with mental health concerns (historically, and at the time of referral) who were identified as having exchanged sexually explicit media electronically.”

In summary, online facilitated crimes against children have skyrocketed on a national and local level with reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for online enticement of children increasing by more than 300% between 2021 and 2023.

This trend is reflected regionally as well. The Children’s Cove 2024 Regional Report on Sexual Exploitation of Children shows in past years we have seen that more than 90% of local cases contain an online element of communication or exploitation. What’s more, last year alone more than 50% of all cases referred to our centers were online only, meaning that they are exclusively sextortion or online exploitation without an in-person component.

What we warned our community about just under 5 years ago has grown exponentially, and we need to reinforce the fact that where children go, those who mean to do them harm will follow.

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, the role parents play in the prevention of online facilitated crimes against children cannot be understated and must be effectively emphasized. We implore that every caregiver of children must understand the responsibilities they have for understanding technology and the integration of safety into children’s online lives.

In just this one group, Monomoy students are taught digital citizenship and safe technology use in school starting in Kindergarten, and they are not permitted to use cell phones or gaming devices at school — so this concerning activity largely happens in the home. It becomes critical, then, that parents, caregivers, and educators collaborate to help protect kids both in and out of school.

The times of simply taking away a child’s phone, computer, or internet privileges is long gone. The online world has become far too integrated into our daily lives to realistically enforce a blackout. Now is the time to change our concept of what “being online” entails, and recognize that all internet enabled devices are tools, and all tools carry an inherent risk or danger, most especially for children.

It is our responsibility as parents and caregivers to understand how these tools work, and to teach our children how to use these tools effectively and safely. We need to make certain children are understanding the importance of not sharing personal information online, and that ALL of their actions online are all Public and Permanent®.

Four years ago, Children’s Cove launched an initiative asking younger kids, teens, parents and caregivers to make a commitment to focus on the importance of their own online safety. Our It’s Up To You webpage shares numerous tools and technological safeguards you can review and use. With technology growing at the fastest rate ever witnessed, now more than ever is the time for our community to Take the Pledge and adopt an active role to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.

Be smart and be safe online. It’s up to you to prevent online sexual exploitation of children.

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Sexual Exploitation of Children in Southeastern Massachusetts – The Regional Report for 2024

A Surge in Online Exploitation

February 25, 2025

This report, and the data and information included within was written with input provided by team members from Children’s Cove: The Cape & Islands Child Advocacy Center, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County – a program of JRI , and Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office Children’s Advocacy Center.

Background

The Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) for Cape Cod & the Islands, Bristol County, and Plymouth County work collaboratively with every branch of law enforcement and child protective services to provide a coordinated response to the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children in our respective regions. Per state regulation, each Child Advocacy Center (CAC) has a response protocol and acts as the hub for cases which may involve a child at risk for, or who is actively being sexually exploited. Each of our centers works together and communicates regularly because often the children we support are victimized across our county lines. It is because of our unique roles and working relationship we see the trends which impact vulnerable children across our communities.

Each year our CAC’s look back at the previous year to identify the numbers, issues, trends, and information regarding the sexual exploitation of children in southeastern Massachusetts. This report contains facts, data, information and guidelines we believe our communities need to know to work together to create a future where children are free from abuse.

Defining the Issue

The term “human trafficking” for most, immediately brings certain images to mind. Perhaps these perceptions are from popular movies, awareness campaigns, or specific people or places. The issue is, however, far more complex and nuanced, and can be presented differently from region to region.

To start, this topic can seem confusing and full of nuance, but human trafficking can be generally broken down into two categories, labor trafficking and sex trafficking. Labor trafficking involves forcing a person to provide labor services whereas sex trafficking does not require an element of force but contributing or facilitating a person to engage in commercial sexual acts. In Massachusetts, “force, fraud or coercion” are not required for commercial sex acts for it to be considered human trafficking. For anyone under the age of 18, the definition is widely expanded due to the vulnerabilities inherent to this age group. Due to this fact, and in the interest of an accurate definition, we often use terms such as “sexual exploitation” to better capture these nuances of meaning.

Sexual Exploitation Can Fall Into Several Categories:

• Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSEC) occurs when a person under the age of 18 is offered or given something of value to them in exchange for some type of sexual act. It doesn’t have to be in person, and it doesn’t need to be money for it to be commercial sexual exploitation. Value could be anything to a child, this includes food, clothing, a warm place to sleep, better grades, vapes, alcohol, or other substances, a trip to a salon, or even a ride somewhere.
• Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (a person less than 18 years old.) CSAM is much more than photos and videos; it is a form of exploitation and abuse documented and shared across the internet in perpetuity. Every time an image is viewed, shared, paid for, or downloaded, the child is being revictimized and a crime takes place.
• Sextortion is a form of child sexual exploitation where a child is blackmailed with the threat of sharing with the public a nude or sexual images of them by a person who wants more images/ videos or money from the child. Because these images are CSAM, with a child being threatened, sextortion is a form of sexual exploitation of children.
• Online Enticement is when an individual communicates online with someone believed to be a child with the intent of committing a sexual offense or abduction.

Across all of these definitions, there are a few other notable constants. First, the perpetrator of the exploitation may, or may not be known to the child. This could be a stranger online, a current or former romantic partner, or a family member. Second, an exchange of something of value or images does not need to have taken place for it to be a crime. The act of offering or threatening someone for sexual exploitation is a crime in and of itself. Third, we must emphasize that all these circumstances are not just crimes, but child sexual abuse as well, which means that for mandated reporters in our Commonwealth there is a legal obligation to file a report for suspected abuse or neglect of a child if someone hears, knows or reasonably suspects this is impacting a child.

The State of Our Region

By The Numbers

Regionally, our centers had dramatic increase in referrals, with a staggering increase of 46% from last year. In 2024, regional CACs received 533 referrals, impacting 471 children. The youngest children impacted were from 4 years old, with 57 cases (approximately 10.7%) involving children 12 years old or younger. Most cases involved children between 13 years old and 17 years old, with 401 referrals (approximately 75%).  75 referrals for high-school aged adults make up the remainder of referrals (approximately 14%.) Of the referrals made, approximately 18% of youth were identified as male, 80% identified as female, and 2% identified as transgender or non-binary youth.

Key Data Points

After we reviewed and analyzed this data, we found several key points to highlight:

First, referrals took a significant jump in a calendar year. We are often asked, “is this because it is happening more, or is it being reported more often?” The answer to that question is complicated, however, to put it simply, we speculate that it is both. Regionally, our CAC’s have provided increased training on these issues to community members, youth serving professionals, and multidisciplinary team members. However, the dramatic nature of the rise also indicates cases have increased in frequency as well.

Second, the increase can also be attributed to more cases involving online facilitated crimes against children. In past years we have seen that more than 90% of cases, on average, contain an online element of communication or exploitation. However, last year more than 50% of all cases referred to our centers were online only, meaning that they are exclusively sextortion or online exploitation without an in-person component.  This is a significant rise and corresponds to the indication of a general increase in sexual exploitation happening more often.

Third, referrals for male victims have continued to increase year by year, with numbers up by 2% since last year. While this margin may seem insignificant, it corresponds to the ongoing theory and consensus that males are victimized at higher rates, because their rates of disclosure are significantly lower.

Trends and Patterns for 2024

Sexual Exploitation of Children Is Right Here

We cannot underscore the fact that exploitation of children happens right here in our own communities. This is not a “city” issue – Boston, New York, Miami or Las Vegas – but an issue in Hyannis, Brockton, Dartmouth, Mansfield, Berkley, Manomet, Yarmouth, Attleboro and more.  More importantly, very often children are being exploited in their own homes through online facilitated crimes. We need to emphasize this fact – when children have access to technology, they can explore the world, and the world has access to them.

This Issue Is Not Going Away

Last year, we looked back at more than eight years’ worth of data and found there had been an average annual increase in referrals for sexual exploitation of children in our region of 35%. Cumulatively, this equals over 2,000 children in our region referred for suspicions of sexual exploitation. Now, with data from 2024 analyzed, we have another year in which referrals have increased even more, with an alarming increase in Plymouth County which witnessed a nearly 80% rise.  As a note, referrals originating from one county does not mean that these cases are only restricted to one area. We often see cases crossing jurisdictions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Is Impacting Everything, Including CSAM

With the AI revolution unfolding over the last 18 months, a new form of victimization has become more mainstream. Individuals are carefully crafting “deepfakes” of children and teens to artificially create CSAM. Deepfakes are incredibly realistic videos or images that are manipulated using AI to make them appear real. Non-explicit images of children and teens are being manipulated by AI into content that appears real and exploitative. This is then being used for sextortion and manipulating youth to produce real content or to send money.

“Revenge Porn” a Rising Issue

Regionally, we have also seen an increasing rate of referrals for online sexual exploitation come in the form of peer-to-peer exploitation, often through means of sextortion or revenge porn. “Revenge porn” is a type of sexual abuse committed online by the sharing of nude or sexually explicit photos and/or videos of a person without their consent to shame or punish a current or former intimate partner. Other times, the threat of sharing this content is a way to control the person. Often the child being targeted is told their images will be shared directly with those who have meaningful roles in the child’s life, such as parents, teachers, coaches, members of their faith community or employers. It can be devastating to a person’s reputation, self-esteem, peer relationships, and wellbeing.

Fortunately, in June of 2024, Governor Healey signed into law An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation, which seeks to prevent abuse, increase protections for survivors, and educate youth about  “sexting”. This law further criminalizes and expands punishments for revenge porn, extends prohibition to deepfakes and AI generated images, and mandates education for youth surrounding these issues.

A Misunderstanding of Victimization

A common misconception of all forms of child sexual abuse is that those who are victims should and will report it. Unfortunately, that is not true. 90% of victims of sexual abuse and assault will never disclose their abuse.  In most instances this is because the perpetrator of abuse is someone the victim knows, cares about or trusts. Other reasons are because a victim has been threatened or harmed, or other people they care about have been threatened or harmed. Other times, a victim of abuse may not know that they are being victimized – they may have limited knowledge of sexual matters which prevents them from understanding what is happening is wrong. With sexual exploitation, all these factors could be true, including cases where those who may be experiencing homelessness may face sexual exploitation as a means for survival.

Additionally, with some victims there is an inherent trauma response which may physically prevent them from asking for help. Most people are familiar with the “fight or flight” response, however, there are two others: Freeze and Appease. Freezing is when the nervous system is activated, and the person is not able to fight or flee, and they may be unable to move or respond. Often this can lead to a victim disassociating and may not remember the abuse or trauma. Appease refers to when the victim responds to abuse by going along with the abuse to minimize additional violence or repercussions. This can give outsiders a perspective that the victim was “willing” to engage in the behavior, however, most survivors who react in this way are unsure or even unaware as to why they acted this way.

Unfortunately, we have seen cases where reports of children being exploited were delayed because of this misunderstanding. We implore providers and community members that if you have a concern, please report it.

What We Need Parents to Know

Parents and Caregivers are Critical for Prevention

Parents need to be informed, engaged, and open with their children to take steps towards preventing sexual exploitation. In our area, this begins with online safety, as online exploitation is the primary method by which youth are being exploited. It is critical for parents to be as involved in their children’s online lives just as they are in their sports and other school activities. Parents need to understand how to use the popular apps and platforms kids and teens are using. Cases of exploitation have taken place on all internet accessible devices, including video game consoles, school-based devices, and even apps associated with school use. If parents and caregivers don’t have regular conversations about online safety, and monitor all internet-enabled devices, the opportunity for exploitation to happen in plain sight remains high.

Have Conversations Without Judgment

It is important for kids and teens to know that if they make a mistake, they can have a calm non-judgmental conversation with their parents and ask for help. Children need to know that their parents will always believe in them, advocate for them, and put their health and safety first. Having ongoing and regular conversations about safety with kids and teens will help them feel supported, can provide reassurance, and increase their likelihood to ask for help.

As a parent, if a child does make a mistake and report that something happened to them, remain calm, and don’t take quick action like deleting images or messages. These may be important to effectively report an incident and get help. Contact your local police department or local Children’s Advocacy Center for guidance. If you see or suspect child sexual abuse material online or on social media, you can report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through their Cyber Tipline.

In some cases, children have been threatened to stay compliant with the demands of an offender. It may be difficult for a child to come to a caregiver for help if they are fearful of threats. Staying calm and knowing how to act is crucial in helping a child who is a victim of online exploitation. The more parents and caregivers engage in their child’s online life; while discussing the risks of online sexual exploitation, the more likely children will confide in their parents when issues arise.

Please, make sure to thank children for coming to you for help.

Get the Education you Need

We recommend parents understand the privacy settings of online and social media applications to increase the safety barrier between children and potential exploitation. Have conversations about body safety, online safety, and identifying trusted adults they can ask for help.

Action Steps

We will not be able to stem the tide of sexual exploitation in our community without your help. We need you to:

• Ask your children’s schools, recreational programs/centers, summer camps, and other youth serving organizations to work with your local CAC for training in recognizing and responding to abuse.
• Reach out to your local CAC to ask how you can learn more about the issue, request or organize training for your local community, school, non-profit organization, or business.
• If you are concerned that a child is being exploited, report it right away! You can report suspicious behaviors to your local Children’s Advocacy Center, law enforcement agency or file a report with the Department of Children and Families.
• There are numerous online resources for online exploitation of children. Visit the website for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to learn more about these resources, including their Take It Down resource, which you can access here.

What We Are Doing

Through our regional partnerships with fellow Children’s Advocacy Centers, and with support from the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (the membership organization of the 12 Children’s Advocacy Centers in Massachusetts), we will continue to coordinate the investigative and support response for children who are victims of sexual exploitation throughout the commonwealth. In the last year collectively, our centers provided hundreds of hours to multidisciplinary professionals, law enforcement, prosecution and the community about recognizing, responding to, and the investigation of sexual exploitation of children. In addition to the training our staff provided, we offered a range of in-depth workshops, punctuated by powerful local and national speakers from the National Criminal Justice Training Center, the Zero Abuse Project, Internet Crimes Against Children investigators, federal and local prosecutors, judges, survivor speakers and victim advocates.

Regionally there have been concentrated efforts with law enforcement, The Department of Children and Families and our partner centers to enact the multidisciplinary response to children who may be missing or absent from care. Because of the high risk of exploitation, often in less than 24 hours of children going missing from home or placement, this regional response focusing on safety has become a priority initiative. This multidisciplinary response ensures that children receive the support they need, with an emphasis on health and safety, while also being able to respond to investigations promptly if the child is ready and able to engage in that process.

With the changing demographics and housing crisis in Massachusetts over the last year, our regional programs, in association with the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance, provided training for housing and emergency shelter staff throughout the region on how to recognize and respond to and signs of exploitation and trafficking.

With dedicated child exploitation response programs, as well as education and training of staff members, our ability to provide impact to our community and multidisciplinary partners is growing to stem the tide of sexual exploitation of children in our region.

We Are Your Local Resource

Sexual exploitation in our community and the risk to our children is increasing. If you want to learn more about how we are making an impact, would like to request training for your school or organization, or would like to learn how you can join us in tackling this issue, please contact us.

Children’s Cove | 508.375.0410 | www.childrenscove.org

Bristol County | 508.674.6111 | www.cacofbc.org

Plymouth County | 508.580.3383 | www.cac.plymouthda.com

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Because the Stakes are High, We Go All In

December 18, 2024

This month, Children’s Cove: the Cape and Islands Child Advocacy Center is pleased to announce we have been awarded re-accreditation by the National Children’s Alliance following an extensive application and site review process.

As the accrediting agency for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) across the country, the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective, efficient, and which put the needs of child victims of abuse first.

With more than 950 CACs in the United States, national accreditation is the highest level of membership with the National Children’s Alliance and denotes an excellence in service provision. This is the fourth consecutive period of national accreditation received by Children’s Cove.

In addition, The National Children’s Alliance offers three additional optional standards which exceed the national mandate, of which Children’s Cove was recognized for meeting two: Prevention of Sexual Abuse, as well as the Standard for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.

Because of the critical role CACs play in the investigation and response to crimes against children, NCA standards exist to ensure all children served receive consistent, evidence-based services that help them heal from abuse. Approximately every five years standards are updated to reflect the latest evidence and practices. CACs must readjust, realign, and train multidisciplinary partners to ensure all standards are met.

The National Children’s Alliance accredited membership is based on a Child Advocacy Center’s compliance with ten evidence and research-based national standards of accreditation to ensure effective, efficient and consistent delivery of services to child abuse victims. According to these standards, accredited members must utilize a functioning and effective multidisciplinary team approach to work collaboratively in child abuse investigation, prosecution, and treatment.

The National Children’s Alliance also considers standards regarding a center’s cultural competency and diversity, forensic interviews, victim support and advocacy, medical evaluation, therapeutic intervention, and child focused setting. These standards are analyzed by a team of professionals from NCA through a review of all standards of practice, in-depth site visit, and comprehensive interviews with staff, multidisciplinary partners, and referral partners.

This rigorous process allows our team to analyze, evaluate, discuss, and modify all of our practices on a regular basis to ensure we are meeting the needs of children and families in a timely and relevant manner. The evaluation allows us to think critically about the child-focused work we do to ensure we do not remain stagnant or leave critical issues behind. The stakes are high. We cannot afford to perform short of our very best when working with children who need our support the most. It is our responsibility to go ‘all-in’ for kids.

However, we cannot do this alone. Accreditation requires more than just the efforts of our own team, but a community of professionals working collaboratively. Together, we create a community free from abuse, supporting children and families in a trauma-informed and evidence-based way.

The following organizations have helped us in this achievement, either as an investigative partner, a referral source, a silent supporter, or even in managing the details of the day of the accreditation process:

Aquinnah Police Department, Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe, Barnstable Police Department, Bourne Police Department, Brewster Police Department, Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office, Cape Cod Children’s Place, Chatham Police Department, Chilmark Police Department, Child and Family Services, Dennis Police Department, Department of Children and Families Cape and Islands, The Department of Public Health, Eastham Police Department, Edgartown Police Department, Falmouth Police Department, Family Table Collaborative, Harwich Police Department, Mashpee Police Department, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, The Massachusetts Children’s Alliance, Nantucket Police Department, Oak Bluffs Police Department, Orleans Police Department, Pierce-Cote Advertising, Provincetown Police Department, Sandwich Police Department, Tisbury Police Department, Truro Police Department, Wellfleet Police Department, West Tisbury Police Department, Yarmouth Police Department, VNA Services of Cape Cod.

Thank you all for your dedication and hard work for children. Together we are working toward a community free from abuse, where children’s voices are heard and where they can live healthy and empowered lives.

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