Campaign Sites
Massachusetts
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Massachusetts Enough Abuse Campaign

The National Enough Abuse Campaign is led by MassKids (Massachusetts Citizens for Children), a Boston-based child advocacy nonprofit that has been working on behalf of vulnerable children for over six decades.
Enough Abuse was launched in 2002 under a 5-year grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The purpose of the $1.2 million grant was to develop a comprehensive social change model aimed at building adult and community responsibility for preventing child sexual abuse. With public and private agency collaborators, we launched the Enough Abuse Campaign to mobilize communities, educate citizens, strengthen school and youth organization policies, and advocate for prevention legislation.
Learn about what Massachusetts communities have done and are doing to address the problem, and how your community can become a part of this growing movement to end child sexual abuse. To learn more about these efforts and how you can bring Enough Abuse trainings to your school, organization or community, contact MassKids at info@masskids.org.
“By bringing together key stakeholders from throughout Massachusetts to address child sexual abuse, the Enough Abuse Campaign has taken some important steps toward finding a solution… That’s why the comprehensive prevention model first adopted here in Massachusetts has now been adopted in other states ….as they work to build collaboration among parents, professionals and private and public sector partners…We have a deep moral obligation to our children, a deep moral obligation to keep them safe, and your leadership on this issue is critical.”
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren
Statewide Eliot Community Human Services Certified Enough Abuse Trainers
Statewide Massachusetts MENTOR Certified Enough Abuse Trainers

Subscribe to our quarterly e-newsletter to learn more about MassKids’ child sexual abuse prevention work.
Massachusetts Resources
exit_to_app Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF)
All reports of suspected child abuse or neglect must be phoned in to DCF. Please call immediately if you know of, or suspect, an incident of child abuse or neglect.
During regular business hours (8:45 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F) call the Department of Families and Children (DCF) area office that serves the city or town where the child lives.
To report suspected abuse nights, weekends, and holidays, contact: Massachusetts Child Abuse Emergency Line at 800-792-5200 – 24 hours.
Website: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/report-child-abuse-or-neglect
exit_to_app Jane Doe, Inc. (MA Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence)
Jane Doe, Inc. works to amplify the voices of all who are impacted by sexual and domestic violence and to undo the social injustices that perpetuate an abuse of power.
Jane Doe works with its coalition members and a host of public and private partners to create policies and explore innovative solutions that improve the lives of survivors. Their work complements the life-saving and healing services provided by the 59 community-based coalition members from the Berkshires to the Cape and everywhere in between. You can find a sexual assault or domestic violence crisis center in your area by searching Jane Doe’s Statewide Directory:
Statewide Directory of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Centers: https://jdi.coalitionmanager.org/contactmanager/contact/publicdirectory
Website: https://www.janedoe.org/
exit_to_app SafeLink Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline
Casa Myrna is Boston’s largest provider of shelter and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence, providing safety, resources, advocacy and information since 1977. It operates SafeLink, the statewide domestic violence hotline, and promote domestic and dating violence prevention through awareness and education. All of our supports are provided to survivors free of charge. Counselors available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and more.
SafeLink Hotline: 1-877-785-2020 Website: https://casamyrna.org/
exit_to_app Llamanos
Llámanos es una línea de ayuda estatal en español, para casos de abuso sexual y proporciona intervención telefónicas, conserjería, y referidos en casos de crisis, es principalmente para la comunidad hispana en Massachusetts.
Massachusetts statewide confidential Spanish-language sexual assault helpline.
Linea de ayuda: 1-800-223-5001. lunes – viernes, 11am – 5pm.
exit_to_app Safe Kids Thrive
Safe Kids Thrive provides guidance to youth-serving organizations seeking to improve their practices to keep children safe from sexual abuse. The website, an initiative of the Massachusetts Legislative Task Force on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, covers such topics as, how to develop a code of conduct, how to better screen prospective employees, ways to monitor staff behaviors and how to report suspected abuse.
Website: https://safekidsthrive.org/
exit_to_app Parents Helping Parents
When the stress of parenting becomes too much, turn to the Parental Stress Line for support and guidance. A 24-hour hotline, the Parental Stress Line is staffed by trained volunteer telephone counselors who care and are concerned about the preservation of families.
Visit their site to find active Parent Support Groups in your area.
Hotline: 1-800-632-8188 Website: https://www.parentshelpingparents.org/
exit_to_app Massachusetts 2-1-1
Simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone to be connected to someone who can help you find health and human services available in the community. Supported by United Way, Mass 2-1-1 serves as a resource for finding government benefits and services, nonprofit organizations, support groups, volunteer opportunities, donation programs, and other local resources. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or click to search the 2-1-1 database of available services.
Website: https://www.mass211.org/
exit_to_app Trauma Resource and Support Program at Cambridge Health Alliance
If you or someone you love has been affected by violence, hatred or abuse, the Trauma Resource and Support Program is here to help. Our Victim Services Specialists are experts in trauma, victimization, victim advocacy and the justice system. We work directly with victims to help them find community resources, medical services and the courts. Our services are always confidential and are provided at no cost.
Trauma Resource and Support Program: 617-665-2992
exit_to_app Institute for Sexual Wellness
A Massachusetts-based treatment center for sexual abusers. The Institute provides consultation, expert testimony and training to these sectors on the local, state and national levels. The goal of treatment at the Institute for Sexual Wellness is to create safer communities by decreasing sex offender recidivism.
exit_to_app MASOC – Massachusetts Society for a World Free of Sexual Harm by Youth
MASOC works prevent sexually abusive behaviors in youth by training professionals and educating the community about developmentally appropriate interventions, evidence-based treatment, and effective public policies.
MASOC educates legislators on emerging issue and coordinate its efforts with both the criminal justice and survivor communities. Its Resource Directory helps parents and professionals identify treatment providers in their area. MASOC also co-sponsors with the Massachusetts Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, an annual conference that brings together over 1,000 clinicians and advocates from across the U.S. and beyond to learn the latest practices and research in the field.
Website: https://masoc.net/ Phone: (413) 540-0712
exit_to_app Massachusetts Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
The Massachusetts Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, Inc. (MATSA) is a non-profit local chapter of the national parent organization. It was formed in 1995 to carry out the mission of ATSA at the state level: to promote responsible assessment and treatment practices for adults with problematic sexual interests, behavior, or offending
Website: https://matsa.info/
exit_to_app Massachusetts Children’s Alliance
The Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (MACA) is an accredited state chapter of the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) and membership organization of the 12 Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) in Massachusetts. It is a go-to resource for helping victims of child abuse. Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) coordinate service plans for children who have been abused and their non-offending family members. They serve as a centralized resource for information and referrals for clients and the community.
Phone: (617) 573-9800
Website: www.machildrensalliance.org
exit_to_app Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) provides counseling to the victims of child abuse and their families through regional offices located throughout the state. To find services near you visit their website here. MSPCC is a division of Eliot Community Human Services.
Phone: (781) 861-0890
Many communities across Massachusetts have organized local Enough Abuse Campaign coalitions, established a cadre of certified Enough Abuse Campaign Trainers, conducted free community trainings to educate the public and professionals about the issue, and have supported CSA prevention legislation. Among them are:
Cape Cod and the Islands

History
Enough Abuse was launched on Cape Cod and the Islands in 2012, when MassKids approached Independence House to explore their interests in facilitating the Campaign. Independence House, a member of the Community Network of Cape Cod (CNCC) approached the Network to be a co-partner in organizing the Campaign. CNCC is a collaborative forum for members to learn, share and develop ideas that enhance the quality of programs and services for the well-being of children, youth and their families.
Staff from Independence House and Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition agreed to co-facilitate the Campaign. Other members of the planning committee included MASS Mentors, local schools, Cape Cod Center for Women, Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment, and other community members.
Accomplishments
In the first few years of Enough Abuse Cape Cod & the Islands, the Campaign held public forums as a first step to educate community members on the facts of child sexual abuse and its prevention. These forums were hosted by the MA Nurse Association on Cape Cod in Sandwich, Councils on Aging in Provincetown and Truro, and the First Congregational Church in Falmouth. Enough Abuse Cape Cod & the Islands trainers also presented specific workshops to Massachusetts School Counselors Association, Sturgis Charter Public School faculty, Mass Mentors Foster Parents, as well as staff at the Cape Cod Child Development Program, Inc.
Over the years since then, dozens of advocates have been trained to provide Enough Abuse workshops to a wide variety of audiences.
How to Schedule a Training on the Cape, Volunteer and/or Receive Additional Information
Contact: Chris Morin at Independence House at chrism@indhouse.net or 508-771-6507×230; or Beverly Costa-Ciavola at Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition at beverly@capecoalition.com or 508-771-4336.

Cape Cod Resources
exit_to_app Independence House
Cape Cod’s leading resource, counseling and advocacy center works to address and prevent domestic and sexual violence.
Phone Hotline: 800-439-6507 Email: indhouse@indhouse.net Website: www.independencehouse.org
exit_to_app Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition
Strengthens families and the resources that support them in order to help prevent child abuse and neglect in our region.
Phone: 508-771-4336 Email: familysupport@capecoalition.com Website: www.capecoalition.com
exit_to_app Cape Cod Children’s Place
A non-profit resource, referral, and education center committed to providing high-quality care, support, and advocacy for families with young children.
Phone: 508-240-3310 Email: info@capecodchildrensplace.com Website: www.capecodchildrensplace.com
exit_to_app Sevita Health
Provides services focused on helping children with emotional and behavioral challenges and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build increasingly rich, independent lives.
Phone: (617) 790-4800 Website: https://sevitahealth.com/
exit_to_app Cape Cod Center for Women
The shelter operates in a confidential location in a quiet residential neighborhood within Barnstable County The shelter emphasizes quality care, building the foundation for a better life for clients to ensure that they do not return to a home life threatened by violence.
Phone: 508-564-7233 Website: http://capecodshelter.org/
exit_to_app Barnstable County Dept. of Health and Environment
Works to protect and promote a healthy Cape Cod community through disease prevention and control, health and safety education, environmental protection, and emergency preparedness.
Phone: 508-375-6617 Website: https://www.capecod.gov/departments/health-environment/
Gloucester/Cape Ann
In 2003, Gloucester was selected from a pool of 20 applying communities to be one of the three original pilot sites of the Enough Abuse Campaign under the 5-year CDC grant.
The Gloucester Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Partnership (GCSAPP) was established as a community-wide collaborative with the mission to prevent the sexual abuse of children with Pathways for Children serving as lead agency for the initiative.

Pathways for Children nurtures children and supports families impacted by economic and social inequity through programs that educate, enrich, empower and motivate. The GCSAPP worked closely with the Gloucester Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Abuse, whose primary mission is to ensure Gloucester as a domestic violence free zone.
According to a 2003 Gloucester Public Opinion Poll, 55% of local respondents considered child sexual abuse to be a serious problem in their community. A similar poll taken in 2007 revealed that 60% of residents said they would be willing to participate in local community trainings to learn about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it. This was up from 35% in 2003.
Several members of the Gloucester Partnership participated in an extensive training of Trainers that certified them to offer free trainings for parents, concerned citizens and professionals in Gloucester and Cape Ann. Members included: Gloucester Mayor’s Office, Gloucester Police, Gloucester Schools, Gloucester Health Department, Health and Education Services, Inc., Cape Ann Early Intervention, Cape Ann Families of Wellspring House, Cape Ann Partnership for Children and Families, Cape Ann Pediatricians, Cape Ann YMCA, Children’s Friend and Family Services, MA Department of Children and Families, Health and Education Family-Based Services, Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWK), North Shore ARC, The Bridge Program, and Health Gloucester.
Gloucester Resources
exit_to_app Lahey Health Behavioral Services. – VOCAL Program (Victims of Crime and Loss)
VOCAL services support victims, families, friends and co-workers who have been victims of crime. It provides individual and group counseling, community crisis response, critical incident stress debriefing and training and education on trauma-related topics.
Phone: 978-927-4506 Website: www.nebhealth.org
exit_to_app HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change)
Provides individual and drop-in counseling for those affected by battering relationships; shelter for battered women and their children; support groups for battered and formerly battered women; and legal advocacy.
Phone: 24-hour hotline: 800-547-1649. Website: https://hawcdv.org/
exit_to_app YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts (North Shore Rape Crisis Center)
Services Include: Trained counselors; crisis intervention; emotional support; information and
referrals, outreach and community education. Group therapy is also available for rape and incest victims.
Phone: 24-hour hotline 877-509-YWCA (9922); Office 781-477-2313
Website: https://ywcanema.org/
Greater Lowell

History
The Center for Hope and Healing (formerly Rape Crisis Services of Greater Lowell) was first introduced to the Enough Abuse Campaign through presentations conducted by the Campaign for the staff of rape crisis agencies across the state. In 2009, Enough Abuse and Rape Crisis Services agreed to explore the formation of a child sexual abuse prevention initiative in the Greater Lowell area.
The Greater Lowell Partnership Against Sexual Assault (GLPASA) was a group of community advocates, health/ mental health professionals, and public safety officials dedicated to the prevention of child sexual abuse and sexual assault within Greater Lowell communities. Members included: Rape Crisis Services, Lowell Police Department, Lowell General Hospital, MAPS (Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers), Asian Task Force, UMass Lowell Police Department, and the Lowell Community Health Center.
Subsequent meetings with GLPASA confirmed that it would be the most appropriate local vehicle to coordinate and implement child sexual abuse programs and activities. In 2010, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed which formally established the Enough Abuse Campaign in Greater Lowell.
The Partnership’s mission was to decrease the harm done by sexual violence through coordinated community education, prevention, and service delivery efforts; and to increase collaboration between individuals and organizations whose work includes issues of child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault.
Early Achievements of GLPASA and the Greater Lowell Enough Abuse Campaign:
- Convened a 2-day “Training of Trainers” that certified 11 community trainers to deliver the Enough Abuse Campaign curricula;
- Conducted numerous free trainings for parents, professionals and youth to educate them about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it;
- Collaborated with the Lowell Domestic Violence Task Force;
- Participated in “Take Back the Night,” an annual, community-wide event that helps unify women, men, and children to speak out against sexual and domestic violence.
- Worked to establish a formalized sexual assault response team (SART) for the Lowell community;
- Partnered with the Lowell Police Department to provide resources and training regarding sexual abuse and assault for 100 police officers within Lowell and several surrounding cities and towns.
Recent Enough Abuse Greater Lowell Activities

The Center for Hope and Healing and the Greater Lowell Health Alliance continue to partner with Enough Abuse to provide child sexual abuse prevention trainings, including offering online training and policy resources to schools and youth organizations in Greater Lowell.
In 2020-2021, Enough Abuse secured funding from the Parker Foundation to provide free trainings for 1,200 Lowell Public School employees using the Enough Abuse Campaign’s one-hour online course, “Enough! Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in My School”.
In April 2021, MassKids partnered with the Center for Hope and Healing and the Greater Lowell Health Alliance to host a three-part webinar series on preventing child sexual abuse for youth serving organizations.
In June 2021, Enough Abuse secured a 3-year Cummings Foundation grant to expand its efforts to train and provide technical assistance and support around prevention policy development for schools and for over 100 youth-serving organizations in Greater Lowell communities.
Lowell Resources
exit_to_app Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
Phone: 617.338.2354 (office) – 617-338-2355 (hotline) Website: https://www.atask.org/site/
exit_to_app Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF)
2 Omni Way, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: 978-275-6800 – Fax: 978-452-5896 – 8:45AM to 5PM
exit_to_app Massachusetts Child Abuse Emergency Hotline
Phone: 800-792-5200 – 24 hours
exit_to_app Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell – FOCUS Program
Supports survivors of violent crimes and victims of drunk driving crashes access services and resources to help them regain control of their lives. All services are free, confidential and available in English, Spanish and Khmer.
Phone: 978-458-6282 or email the FOCUS Program
exit_to_app Lawrence General Hospital
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Services 24/7 at the Emergency Center. Call 978-683-4000 x 2500.
To schedule Pediatric exams for non-acute cases, call 978-683-4000 x 2030.
Address: 1 General Street, Lawrence, MA
exit_to_app Lowell Community Health Center
Call 978-937-9700 for information about Adult Medicine, Behavioral Health Services (Inpatient and Outpatient), Community Outreach, HIV/Aids Services, Pediatric Medicine, Prenatal Services and Family Practice, and Women’s Services and Family Planning.
Address: 161 Jackson Street, Lowell, MA
exit_to_app Lowell Community Health Center/Metta Health Center
Metta Health Center addresses the medical and behavioral health needs of the Cambodians and Laotians of all ages in the Lowell area. Health and wellness services include Primary Medical Care, Behavioral Health Services, Traditional Healing Advice, Acupuncture and Massage Therapy, Meditation, Social Services and Referrals, and Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocacy and Case Management.
Address: 135 Jackson Street, Lowell
Phone: 978-441-1700 Website: www.lchealth.org/Metta.shtml
Lynn

History and Mission
In 2015 Associated Grant Makers and MassKids convened a special Funders Briefing to introduce Massachusetts foundations and non-profit members to the Enough Abuse Campaign and its new resource, “Sexual Abuse Safe-Child Standards” for youth organizations and schools. Also highlighted was legislation filed that session to require youth organizations and schools to offer comprehensive child sexual abuse prevention education and to adopt safe-child policies. Participants discussed their role in helping the youth organizations they funded to reduce liability and strengthen their prevention policies and practices.
Present at the Briefing were Jim Carrigan, prominent Lynn lawyer and advocate, and Birgitta Damon, Executive Director of Lynn Economic Opportunity (LEO, Inc.) who were seeking to address child sexual abuse in their community. A meeting of community leaders was subsequently held with Enough Abuse Director Jetta Bernier at City Hall including the Mayor of Lynn, the Lynn Superintendent of Schools, LEO, Inc., Lynn Housing Authority, My Brother’s Table, All Care VNA and other local leaders to learn about the Enough Abuse Campaign and to support its launching in Lynn.
In April 2016, Enough Abuse convened a 2-day “Training of Trainers” in City Council Chamber for 30 individuals from local agencies. Presenters during the training included leaders of the Lynn Police Department’s Sexual Abuse Unit, the District Attorney’s Office and the Lynn Community Health Center’s Mental Health Department. The 30 trainees were certified to provide free trainings across the community using the Campaign’s research-based training curricula and materials.
Community trainings have continued since then and meetings of key Lynn leaders have continued to assess progress. In 2021, The American Dream cable program featured a 30-minute discussion hosted by Jim Carrigan, with Senator Joan Lovely and MassKids Director Jetta Bernier to inform citizens about child sexual abuse prevention efforts in Lynn:
Lawyer and child advocate Jim Carrigan discusses Lynn child sexual abuse prevention efforts with former School Superintendent Patrick Tutwiler
In Spring 2021, MassKids secured a 3-year grant from the Cummings Foundation to continue trainings and support policy work in Lynn schools and youth organizations. In 2022, Enough Abuse activities in Lynn included:
- Lynn Daily Item published a front-page series of articles about child sexual abuse and Enough Abuse Campaign efforts to prevent it in the community. https://www.itemlive.com/2022/04/27/the-evil-that-is-abuse-nobody-wants-to-talk-about-this/
- 48 youth serving organizations serving Lynn were identified and informed about the free Enough! Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in My Youth Organization online course, which was made available to them. Several are taking advantage of the opportunity to train their employees and volunteers.
- Presentation by Enough Abuse Director Jetta Bernier to the Lynn Education District, a group of 25 key city leaders, e.g. the Mayor’s Office, Boys & Girls Club, Girls, Inc., Lynn YMCA, St. Mary’s School, etc. to announce the initiative and engage them.
- Meeting with leaders of four charter schools serving 2,600 students in Lynn to plan roll-out of the Enough! Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in My School online course.
- MassKids Director and School Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler were guests on the 30-minute American Dream Cable TV program to discuss educator sexual misconduct and how to prevent it. https://bit.ly/AmericanDream040822
- Lynn School Superintendent agreed to provide the Enough! online course for 2,400 school employees and volunteers during the 2022-2023 school year.
Lynn Resources
exit_to_app LEO, Inc.
LEO Inc.’s mission is to strengthen the Greater Lynn community through resources and services that provide opportunities for children, families and individuals to thrive.
Address: 156 Broad Street | Lynn, MA 01901
Phone: 781.581.7220
Email: info@leoinc.org Website: https://leoinc.org/
Medford

In 2021, the Cummings Foundation awarded MassKids and the Enough Abuse Campaign a three-year grant to support child sexual abuse prevention training and prevention policies for schools and youth organizations in the cities of Medford, Lowell and Lynn.
In Medford, meetings were held with Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn and School Committee member Melanie McLaughlin to announce the Cummings grant and the Enough Abuse initiative.
Together, the Mayor’s Office and Enough Abuse outreached to 37 Medford youth-serving organizations encouraging them to adopt the free online training course “Enough! Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in My Youth Organization.”
Medford Community Cable has agreed to produce a half-hour program to educate citizens abut child sexual abuse prevention and to encourage their engagement in the child sexual abuse prevention initiative.
Medford citizens have met with State Representation Sean Garballey who represents West Medford. He has confirmed strong support for the prevention campaign and his interest in publicizing it in local media, including as a guest on a Medford Community Cable program on the topic this fall.
In the 2022-2023 academic year, School Superintendent Dr. Edouard-Vincent will work with Enough Abuse and the School Committee to plan implementation of the online Enough! training for over 600 school employees and volunteers serving 4,500 students.
Watch this space for updates.
Middlesex County
In October 2014, Enough Abuse brought together leaders in Middlesex County to form the Middlesex County Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Partnership, co-chaired by Woburn Police Chief Robert Ferullo, State Representative Ken Gordon. Members included Woburn City Council, the YMCA, the Mama Bear Effect, Speak Truth to Power, and other survivors and child advocates.

In July 2014 with support from local Middlesex County citizens, MassKids secured a two-year grant from the Cummings Foundation to establish a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Partnership in Eastern Middlesex County which would recruit, train and certify a cadre of local volunteers to provide free sexual abuse prevention education. This Partnership recruited and certified 18 vetted professionals to provide Enough Abuse trainings and to then educate parents, youth and a broad range of professionals and citizens in Eastern Middlesex communities.
In 2017, with the release of the Enough! Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in My School course, Burlington Public Schools worked with MassKids to pilot the course. Burlington teachers participated in a research study conducted by Simmons University to evaluate the course’s effectiveness. The randomized-controlled study of teachers in three states published in the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse (2019) documented at the highest levels of statistical significance:
- Increased learner knowledge about child sexual abuse and its prevention;
- Ability to identify boundary-violating behaviors that if left unchecked could lead to illegal and reportable sexual misconduct or abuse; and
- Confidence and willingness to report suspected or disclosed cases.
98.4% of learners indicated they would recommend the course to their colleagues.
At a subsequent meeting of the Burlington School Committee to report findings of the research, the Committee voted unanimously to require that all Burlington School employees be educated about child sexual abuse using this new evidence-informed prevention training. In-person trainings were held during Professional Development days.
In August 2022, Burlington School Superintendent authorized the online Enough! training for 1,000 school employees and volunteers for the 2022-2023 school year. A $2,000 training grant from Community Health Network Area (CHNA-15) helped support the effort.
Newton/Waltham

CDC officials and Enough Abuse Campaign representatives
In 2003, Newton was selected from a pool of 20 applying communities to be one of the three original pilot sites for the Enough Abuse Campaign under a 5-year CDC grant.
According to a Newton Public Opinion Poll, 47% of local respondents considered child sexual abuse to be a serious problem in their own community. 52% said they were willing to participate in local community trainings to learn about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it.
The Newton/Waltham Community Partnership to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse was organized as a collaboration of professionals, parents, individuals, and community agencies from Newton and the neighboring community of Waltham. Collaborative activities and trainings were expanded to include the surrounding towns of Watertown, Arlington, Belmont and Needham.
Funding to support the Partnership was generously provided by the Rebecca Pomroy Foundation, the Connor Foundation, Community Health Network Area 18, and through donations of community members.
The partnership was led by Family ACCESS, a nonprofit that empowers and strengthens families and the community by providing programs that nurture child development, promote effective parenting skills and supports working parents.
The Partnership has provided community trainings to help adults learn to more effectively prevent the perpetration of child sexual abuse. The Partnership has also hosted periodic forums and events to create opportunities for dialogue and learning about this important issue.
“There are few efforts I consider more important than preventing child sexual abuse. Even in Newton, ‘the Safest City in America’, we must be diligent in our prevention efforts. We are proud to be a pilot city for this outstanding prevention effort.”
Former Mayor David Cohen, 2004
Recent Enough Abuse Activities in Waltham
School leaders from seven area cities and towns convened in Waltham in January 2020 at the Government Center for a half-day Enough Abuse training designed to provide school officials with the necessary tools and knowledge to address and prevent child sexual abuse. Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy and State Representative John Lawn (D-Watertown) and the MA Association of School Superintendents co-hosted the event. The training was conducted by MassKids Director Jetta Bernier and Board Member Carmen Durso, Esq, legal expert on child sexual abuse. Over 30 school leaders from Burlington, Cambridge, Lexington, Stoneham, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, and Wilmington attended.
Subsequently, the Enough Abuse Campaign was featured at the 1st Annual Waltham Parenting Awareness Conference held on March 7th, 2020 at the McDevitt School.

North Quabbin

In 2003, North Quabbin was selected out of a pool of 20 applying communities to be one of the three original pilot sites of the Enough Abuse Campaign under a 5-year CDC grant.
The North Quabbin Community Coalition’s Sexual Abuse Prevention Project is a community-wide alliance committed to improving the quality of life for all those living and working in the North Quabbin region by working toward the prevention of sexual abuse.
The project is dedicated to building a community where children are empowered by knowledge and skills, and protected by caring adults who take responsibility for keeping children safe. It serves the 9-town North Quabbin region of Athol, Erving, New Salem, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Warwick, and Wendell.
A North Quabbin Public Opinion Poll confirmed that 69% of local respondents consider child sexual abuse to be a serious problem in their own community; 76% of residents indicated they would be willing to participate in local community trainings to learn about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it.
The North Quabbin Sexual Abuse Prevention Project certified 12 local Enough Abuse trainers and continues to provide a variety of trainings for parents , professionals, educators, and others interested in the prevention of child sexual abuse.
“I am proud to see the Enough Abuse Campaign hard at work in my Senate District. By keeping the public apprised of the most up-to-date prevention strategies, we can spare our children from this tragedy.”
Senator Stephen Brewer (D-Barre)
North Quabbin Region
An Example of the Impact of the Enough Abuse Campaign
Here is one example of how the work of the Coalition and Enough Abuse resulted in the identification, arrest and conviction of a community resident who had sexually abused many children over several decades. This summary was prepared by then Coalition Executive Director Rebecca Bialecki.
A single mom attended our parent trainings to learn the skills she needed to prevent her children from becoming victims of child sexual abuse. Over a year later, she moved into a new apartment building. One day her 7-year-old daughter was playing with neighborhood children in the courtyard of the building. That evening she disclosed to her mother that the janitor of the building had taken her to an isolated part of the basement with another child to “show her his secret place”. She went on to explain that he had fondled her.
This mom knew exactly what to do. First, she remained calm in the face of this horrific disclosure. She believed her daughter and made sure she knew she would be protected. She immediately contacted the local police. Upon hearing the little girl’s account, they checked out the described area of the basement and located a makeshift bed and children’s toys that the perpetrator had used to lure his victims to the spot. They then interviewed the other child who had been present and although she had not reported the incident to her parents, she confirmed that she had also been abused by the janitor.
Given the new information, the police and District Attorney launched a full investigation. They learned that the janitor had been abusing children for several years and had made threats to ensure their silence. Several children had suffered multiple rapes by this man over a period of months. The mom who had been trained in the Enough Abuse Campaign series, had learned that breaking the silence was critical to convicting this dangerous perpetrator. She immediately reached out to her former trainers and other community supports and began a campaign of her own to educate other parents. She was able to convince three other parents of victims in the building to come forward with information which led to an eventual conviction of the janitor on multiple counts of child sexual abuse.
This brave mother also had learned how to support her child and her family moving forward and began counseling services for herself and her daughter. Today, this family and others are safer and happier due to the critical skills and support provide by the Enough Abuse Campaign.
Southern Worcester County

History
The Webster Community for Success Council is a community planning group convened by the Webster Adult Basic Education Program of the Webster Public Schools. Members include key stakeholders within the community: school personnel, social service agencies, businesses, and local government including many town officers and the Police Department. The group meets quarterly throughout the year to keep current on local trends and needs, to network and share resources, and to work collaboratively to identify and fill gaps in the community.
Data gathered by the Webster Community for Success Council indicated that Webster had a higher rate of child abuse and neglect than surrounding communities. Data on abuse reports from three recent years showed that Webster was consistently in the top ten communities in the Commonwealth in substantiation rates of reported cases of abuse and neglect. This was not acceptable to Council members who decided to take action.
After a presentation to the Council by Enough Abuse Director Jetta Bernier, it decided that the Enough Abuse Campaign was a viable approach for reaching and engaging many groups within the community to prevent child sexual abuse.
The Southern Worcester County Partnership to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse was formed, and co-led by Webster Community for Success Council and Pathways for Change, Inc. They convened an intensive 2-day Enough Abuse Campaign Training of Trainers and recruited 10 volunteers from local community organizations to participate including, Webster Adult Basic Education, Harrington Hospital, Department of Youth Services, Town of Webster Police Department, Bartlett High School, and Nichols College.
Since then, trainers have had opportunities to conduct their own trainings for a wide variety of groups including college security staff, medical personnel, government agencies, law enforcement, school district staff, and the public. The Southern Worcester County Partnership has worked diligently with key community members to emphasize that child sexual abuse is not inevitable; it can be prevented before children are hurt.
As Council member Leslie Baker stated:
“Knowing what behaviors are healthy and which are problematic means we, as parents, teachers, coaches, religious leaders and community members, can take action to keep our children safer. All of our trainers are passionate about giving people the knowledge and skills they need to say “ENOUGH!”
Another Example of the Impact of the Enough Abuse Campaign
Here is an example of how the work of the Coalition and Enough Abuse resulted in the identification, arrest and conviction of a community resident who had sexually abused many children over several decades. This summary prepared by Enough Abuse Trainer Dave O’Regan
Background: David Kress of Thompson, MA was arrested after a 10-month investigation by State Police after it was reported to them by Dave O’Regan, an employee of Nichols College in Dudley, that Mr. Kress had admitted to him that he had abused at least a dozen boys 11-16 years of age over a 20-year period. Mr. O’Regan is a certified trainer for the South Worcester County Enough Abuse Campaign. Mr. Kress was charged with 7 counts of statutory child rape, found guilty and sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment.
In an excerpted statement from Mr. O’Regan, he writes:
“This sexual predator fits the profile we all have learned from the Enough Abuse Campaign. He was loved by everyone he worked with and in his community, he was an elected official. This Boy Scout Leader was a sexual predator that not only groomed his victims, he groomed the community to gain trust and have access to children.
I am so glad to be a member of the Enough Abuse Campaign, gathering, planning, and reaching out to the community, helping to protect children from monsters like this in our midst.”
Another Example of the Impact of the Enough Abuse Campaign
Background: Within weeks of certifying South Worcester County Enough Abuse Trainers, trainers/school employees at Bartlett Junior-Senior High School reported that 41-year-old school employee Jeffrey Flynn was engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 14-year old student. Flynn, the school’s music teacher, marching band director and assistant softball coach was charged with three counts of aggravated sexual assault, admitted the abuse to police but later entered a no guilty plea in Worcester Superior Court.
Mr. Flynn died nine months after his arrest and before his court case was resolved. He was an accomplished jazz guitarist, composer with a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. His obituary makes no mention of the cause of death or of his past affiliation at Bartlett Junior-Senior High School.
Southern Worcester County Resources
exit_to_app Webster Adult Basic Education
Contact us to schedule an Enough Abuse training. Email: lbaker@webster-schools.org Phone: 508-949-8282
exit_to_app Pathways for Change, Inc.
Contact us to schedule an Enough Abuse training. Email: kdawkins@pathwaysforchange.help
Phone: 508-852-7600 x110
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Survivor Support
Whether you identify as a victim, survivor, or as someone working through the trauma of sexual abuse, know that you are not alone, you are not to blame for what happened, and support is available to help you on your journey to healing.
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