Patient Resources from the Child Protection Team at MGfC
Resources from MGfC
Bullying
- Tips to Prevent and Address Bullying
- What To Do If You're Being Bullied (For Teens) (Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine)
Trauma
- Tips to Prevent Burns (Pediatric Trauma Service)
For fathers
Resources from other organizations
Child sexual abuse and normal behavior
Legal resources
- Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime
The Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime Initiative offers free legal help to crime victims who live or have a civil legal problem in Massachusetts. Find your regional CLAVC Legal Aid or Statewide CLAVC program. - Massachusetts Office for Victims Assistance
The Massachusetts Office for Victims Assistance (MOVA) offers crisis intervention, referrals to programs and services and information to help victims better understand the criminal justice system. - Victim Rights Law Center
A nonprofit law center dedicated solely to serving the legal needs of rape and sexual assault victims.
Legal assistance intake line: ext. 19
Spanish intake line: ext. 35
Massachusetts Children’s Advocacy Centers
Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) are a nationally recognized, empirically supported model, and are regularly evaluated to ensure that the highest level of services are provided. CACs are child-friendly centers where a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of professionals offer a coordinated response to allegations of child sexual and severe physical abuse. Find a CAC in your community.
CACs proactively assure that children and families are linked to medical, mental health, victim advocacy and other services as determined on a case-by-case basis. These services come at no cost to families and include:
- Multidisciplinary teams interventions and forensic interviews
- Victim advocacy
- Medical and mental health services
- Community education
Learn more about CACs from the Massachusetts Children's Alliance.
For children
- KidSmartz Children's Safety Program (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
- Knowing My Rules for Safety (PDF) (National Children's Advocacy Center)
- My Body Belongs to Me (video) (Jill Sharishevsky, JD)
For fathers
For teens
- How to Help a Friend Who Discloses Abuse (Break the Cycle)
- Love is Respect
A national resource to prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering youth through inclusive and equitable education, support and resources. - RESPECTfully
A statewide public awareness and prevention campaign that promotes healthy relationships to young people.
For adults and families
Resources
- Child Sexual Abuse - Perpetrators, Manipulation, Disclosure and Prevention (PDF) (National Children's Advocacy Center)
Organizations
- Children's Trust
The Children's Trust programs partner with families to help them build the necessary skills and confidence to make sure children have safe and healthy childhoods. - Parents Helping Parents
An organization that connects parents with parents in both virtual and community support groups to share challenges, express frustrations and ask questions.
Referrals and support
- LINK-KID Referral for Trauma-Informed Services
A centralized referral system for parents, caregivers, and child-serving professionals to refer children, ages 0-18, who might benefit from evidence -based trauma treatments in Massachusetts. | 855-LINK-KID (546.5543) - Parental Stress Hotline (available 24/7 from Parents Helping Parents)
A toll-free, confidential helpline for parents who need to discuss issues related to their children. Trained volunteer counselors offer support, empathy, encouragement, information, referrals, and crisis intervention. | 800-632-8188
Resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
- Understanding Your Child’s Behavior (PDF)
- Soothing a Crying Infant (PDF)
- Dealing with Temper Tantrums (PDF)
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (PDF)
- Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms (PDF)
- Toll-Free Crisis Hotline Numbers
- Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect (PDF)
- Child Abuse Reporting Numbers (PDF)
This webpage is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treat any medical conditions. Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any brands listed on this webpage.
Pediatric Health Information Library (PHIL)
Find educational materials on a wide range of pediatric health topics and specialties.