Department of Children and Families Referrals FY2024 Report
Key Findings*
13,635 child abuse and neglect referrals were received by Massachusetts District Attorneys during FY2024.
9,697 referrals were closed without criminal prosecution.
2,529 criminal cases were initiated against defendants.
1,215 criminal cases concluded with a conviction, while 1,027 cases were resolved without a conviction.
The most common reasons cases were not prosecuted included:
Insufficient evidence.
Psychological trauma experienced by the victim.
Victim denies or does not disclose abuse
Competency concerns or the victim's young age.
Jurisdictional issues.
Family unsupportive or unwilling to go forward
Evidentiary privileges (Fifth Amendment and marital privilege).
Statute of limitations.
No criminal conduct identified.
Unknown perpetrator.
*Child abuse and neglect cases often take several years to progress from initial referral to final disposition, meaning prosecution outcomes reported in FY2024 may relate to referrals made in prior years.
How can these processes be improved? The DA notes that the following resources would have assisted in investigations & prosecutions:
Access to crisis services for victims and their families
Identification of “Anonymous” callers to allow for follow-up
Additional prosecutors, victim-witness advocates, investigators, interviewers, evidence processing staff, and detectives that specialize in complex cases
Accurate contact information in child abuse and neglect forms (51As)
Increased urgency with technology cases (Child sexual abuse material, online exploitation/harassment) for restraining orders
