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A recent discussion with our young community members reinforces a powerful message: children who are online need parents who engage, teach safety, and recognize that real world dangers are online.
Sexual assault, domestic violence, child sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation happens here. But you are not alone on the Cape & Islands.
The Children’s Advocacy Centers for Cape Cod & the Islands, Bristol County, and Plymouth County collaborate annually on a regional report of the rates and trends of sexual exploitation of children in Southeastern Massachusetts. 2024 represented the highest number of referrals in nearly a decade.
The team at Children’s Cove is pleased to welcome our new Community Programs Coordinator, Heidi Friedel.
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.
The team at Children’s Cove is pleased to welcome our new Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Vicki Bice.
Survivors of intimate partner violence can claim a victory in Massachusetts for recently passed legislation banning revenge porn and expanding protections against abuse and exploitation.
We know that as a single organization we cannot hope to provide all of the support and prevention services needed on the Cape and Islands. That’s why incredible partners like Cape Cod Children’s Place who support us in this critical work deserve to step into the spotlight.
There is one critical gap which is often found unaddressed across our state: enforceable action against teachers who engage in inappropriate behavior with students aged 16 and older.
Women’s Empowerment through Cape Area Networking was founded to empower Cape Cod women by providing unique services that inspire hope and bring increased stability, self-sufficiency, and opportunity to their lives.
As schools let out for summer, it is critical that youth serving organizations are committed to recognizing, responding, reporting and preventing child sexual abuse. Here are some ways which they can.
Sometimes the most seemingly simple need is the most important and impactful. One of our most called upon and supportive community partners is Katelynn’s Closet.
During April, child safety advocates mobilize communities to address this issue, fostering conversations among parents, caregivers, and community members about body and online safety, and how to seek help if needed. However, amidst these efforts, there’s a pressing concern that often goes unaddressed.
For the last three years the Children’s Advocacy Centers for Cape Cod & the Islands, Bristol County, and Plymouth County have met to collaborate on a regional report of sexual exploitation of children in Southeastern Massachusetts. This year, we have also reviewed the last seven years of data and have identified a concerning trend of the regional increase in identified cases we want our community to be aware of.
To meet increased demand for services, Children’s Cove in recent months has expanded staffing through the hiring of Anna Colby as our new Community Engagement Specialist in October, and Deena Anderson as our new Mental Health Clinician in January.
Over the last year, there has been a significant increase in the discussion of Human Trafficking in the United States. Seemingly, critically important work can be unfavorably impacted.
After a child comes to Children’s Cove the first big question is “what’s next?” For many families the answer is our Community Partner: Cape Cod Family Resource Center.
Much like child sexual abuse, domestic violence impacts the entire family. Children in particular are at increased risk of long term effects of experiencing or witnessing domestic violence, known as an “adverse childhood experience.”
Children’s Cove and Law Enforcement Victim Advocates often work in tandem to provide services and coordination of care to children and their non-offending families when responding to cases in their jurisdiction. This month we highlight some of these incredible advocates for the work they do to support our community.
As parents and communities get ready to go back to school, there is a topic we believe needs to be included in the information schools share with parents and caregivers, and that is the school’s policy on child abuse prevention, recognition, response, and reporting.
As we prepare to say goodbye to summer, parents and kids are gearing up for back to school, and that makes us think about one of our incredible community partners, Dr. Jaime Curley.
County Commissioners announce partnership between Children’s Cove and Martha’s Vineyard Community Services to help child abuse victims partnership will provide services on Martha Vineyard.
Earlier this month, Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill expanding the death penalty for a number of crimes including sexual assault and sexual battery for children under the age of 12. But will this legislation have the desired effect to reduce instances of abuse?
Primary prevention of sexual abuse of children is critical for youth serving organizations. In addition to our trainings, there is a website that can help organizations adopt best practices to prevent child sexual abuse.
Sexual assault, domestic violence, child sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation happens here. It happens in every town on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. These issues impact people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic status.
On April 26th, the SAFE Child Community of providers is holding a resource fair from 9:00am-4:00pm at the Cape & Islands Association of Realtors Building in Yarmouth to showcase agencies who provide services which supports child and family protective factors and services in our community.
Adverse Childhood Experiences are one of the largest public health crises impacting the United States for generations, and it’s one of the least talked about. Why is that? Maybe it is because it is so common.
This month, BBBSCI has launched a new “Erase the Wait” campaign to recruit 72 adult volunteer mentors on Cape Cod during the month of March. With 72 youth waiting for a ‘Big,’ they are excited to recruit and raise awareness on the need for more mentors to step up and become ‘Bigs.’
Catfishing can easily be dismissed as a prank, however, it is on the rise and can no longer be disregarded as it carries real burdens, emotional damage, actual physical harm, and sexual exploitation.
One of the organizations we work closely with is Independence House, which is the Sexual and Domestic Violence Agency for Cape Cod. Beginning this month, they will engage in a new campaign titled Courageous Conversations.
Our communities are at a critical crossroads to stem the tide of exploitation happening to our youth. Regionally there has been a dramatic increase in sexual exploitation referrals in 2022 with 420 children impacted in our region, a 40% increase since last year. This report contains information our organizations believe our communities need to know.
This holiday season we hope that all parents remember, you are doing the best you can. Do not let expectations, real or imagined, take away from the incredible moments you can share with your family this year. And, if you need resources to help promote self-love, self-kindness, and self-care, there is a community here to support you.
Children’s Cove partners with Monomoy Regional High School to relaunch the Teen TASK Force with a special focus.
Children’s Cove has been in continuous operation since 1997. The Child Advocacy Center for Cape Cod and the Islands is celebrating 25 years and highlighting some of the work done and coming in the future.
Each year, the Children’s Cove team awards deserving individuals or agencies with the Above and Beyond for Children Award. This award is given to individuals who show dedication and commitment to protect children on the Cape & Islands. This year we recognized the Cape and Islands Legislative Delegation.
In September President Biden signed a bill removing the federal statute of limitations for civil claims by child victims of sexual abuse. We applaud this bipartisan effort and hope our lawmakers do not stop there.
Working out of borrowed kitchens, and with a host of community partners, FTC started distributing healthy prepared meals directly to individuals and families during the pandemic. However, they recognized that nutritional security on Cape Cod is a full-time, year-round crisis.
The Cape Cod and Islands Legislative Delegation has gone Above and Beyond for Children to make stable grant funding available to Children’s Cove, and other child advocacy centers throughout the Commonwealth.
In one year’s time, from 2020 to 2021, online exploitation rose by 35% and increased to more than 73% from pre-pandemic levels, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. During that time we saw a similar rise in cases to Children’s Cove. Why we need to talk about this new “norm.”
There is a lot for parents to do to keep their children healthy and safe. Starting somewhere is better than not starting at all.
Understanding how secondary traumatic stress plays out in the lives of professionals working with those who have experienced trauma is important to addressing it. So is talking about the stigma.
Because of the stigma of sexual assault and abuse, coupled with the accompanying feelings of mistrust and fear, approximately 90% of assaults and abuse go completely unreported. Many don’t know who to tell or ask for help. We can do something to change that.
May is Mental Health Awareness month, a time critical to discuss the needs of our community and nation. However, beyond breaking stigma we have another immense challenge: increasing access and providers to children.
Finding and accessing mental health supports shouldn’t be difficult. We want to point you in the right direction.
It is critical to raise the visibility of victim services available to our community.
We can make a strong impact in the prevention, early recognition, and coordinated response to child sexual abuse on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard.
We all become impacted by loss at one point or another, children are no exception. Good Grief Cape Cod supports them.
As a parent, it is a regular occurrence to put your own needs aside for your children. However, practical, and regular self-care is critical to provide the care your children need.
The need for supportive male mentors in our community is critical; Cape Bigs is looking for 60 guys in 30 days.
At times we receive reminders that it is the powerful and trustworthy in our community who abuse children, and we need to communicate that to our children.
Our region has seen an increase on child sexual exploitation, especially online – 10 more points we need you to know.
The holidays can bring joy for many, but not everyone. How mindfulness and compassion can help people experiencing trauma at this time of year.
Children’s Cove and Calmer Choice partnering together to provide resources to families served, and the team members who support them.
The way that porn has evolved from the days of magazines tucked away in bedrooms to the internet is more damaging than you think.
The role of teachers in the lives of our children cannot be understated. One of the most important and often overlooked roles of teachers is that of a mandated reporter.
Practice difficult conversations by letting books present the problems.
Where is the line between personal property and individual privacy and the protection of children from exploitation online?
At times courage is saying no even when everyone and everything else is telling you yes. How self-care and consent are related as demonstrated by an Olympian.
As families prepare for school, fall and winter, it’s important to recognize a little help can go a long way.
When we see abusers walk free from consequence, or the investigation into wrongdoing suppressed, why are we not doing more to support survivors of sexual abuse and assault?
Summer camps on the Cape & Islands partner for the safety of their campers in being able to recognize and respond to abuse.
Moving forward into this post-pandemic world, it’s not uncommon to hear, “I’m so glad things are getting back to normal.”
When looking into summer programs and camps this year, here are some questions you could add as a part of your process.
The students who attend Cape Cod Collaborative STAR Program necessitate additional services for their education and personal growth.
It is essential to raise visibility of the services available to our community.
The casualties and fallout from COVID-19 are devastating and tragic. There is no question about that. But so, too, are the statistics about child sexual abuse.
To get to the next step in providing safety to all children is to acknowledge that preventing sexual abuse is a priority in the mission of the organization. For too long, sexual abuse has been a taboo subject hidden in the shadows, increasing the likelihood of the victimization of children.
Sexual exploration and play are a natural part of child sexual development. However, sometimes childhood sexual behaviors can become concerning.
People who exploit children don’t care about their socioeconomic backgrounds; they simply care that they are children.
Great generosity has kept kids of Children’s Cove families warm since 2016.
While the holiday season is often one of joy, sharing, family and love, many children and families who have experienced trauma face additional challenges.
These two organizations have contributed to the holiday season being filled with abundance, thanks, and joy for more than 175 families and nearly 300 children who have been victims of sexual abuse.
There is so much happening in the world right now, and many are left feeling overwhelmed. Consequently, we have retreated inwards and become smaller…
Children and teens are online more than ever, especially with the rise of remote-learning. Research has shown that 1 in 5 children will experience unwanted sexual content/solicitation online.
