Mission & Purpose of Taskforce

In 2014, the Massachusetts Legislature authorized the creation of a task force on child sexual abuse prevention (SECTION 34. Chapter 431 of the acts of 2014, as amended) to be co-chaired by the state’s Child Advocate and the executive director of the Children’s Trust.

The basic purpose of the Taskforce is to develop the guidance, tools and sexual abuse prevention and intervention frameworks that will support Massachusetts YSOs in their efforts to better protect the children and youth entrusted to their care, and to create long-range plans and strategies for statewide community education about child sexual abuse and its prevention (see the specific Legislative language in Appendix 2).

The legislation also designates certain elected and appointed officials (or their designees) and organizations to serve on the Taskforce, and further states that the governor may appoint additional representatives from agencies serving children, law enforcement, religious organizations and others as necessary to fulfill the purpose of the Taskforce. ¹ The legislative mandate and Taskforce and committee membership can be found in the appendices below.

¹ See: (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2014/Chapter431)