DA Hayden Dedicates Space in Office as “Testament to the Strength of Survivors”

BOSTON, April 28, 2022— During a ceremony today honoring survivors of child abuse and other crimes, District Attorney Kevin Hayden dedicated space in the office he leads in recognition of survivors’ courage and resilience.

Hayden delivered remarks dedicating a waiting room, conference room, and interview room in his office’s 1 Bulfinch Place building in recognition of the strength, resilience, and courage of survivors. Today’s dedication ceremony took place during National Crime Victim’s Rights Week, as well as Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, all of which are recognized in April.

“The physical space that my office inhabits is not simply another stale state office building.  It is a space where survivors of crime begin a journey toward justice and healing.  They are often guarded when they arrive, but they find the courage to disclose their trauma and talk about what they’ve been through.  It is where we provide the victim-centered, trauma-informed care that victims and their families deserve as they take steps toward healing,” Hayden said. “These rooms are not merely a waiting area, a meeting space, or an interview room – they are a testament to the strength of survivors.”

The newly dedicated space is located in an area of Hayden’s office that houses SCDAO’s Child Protection Unit, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, and Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit. The space is marked by a plaque stating, “The interview room, waiting space, and conference room on this floor are dedicated to the many survivors we meet who bravely share their experiences here.  The words over the three doorways represent the qualities these survivors embody.” The individual rooms are marked with one of the following words recognizing the survivors who enter: strength, resilience, and courage.

Several abuse survivors attended the reception along with loved ones, supporters, members of SCDAO and our partners at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County (CAC). Prior to the survivors’ arrival, SCDAO staff wrote cards with words of support that were displayed during the ceremony.  Hayden spent time speaking with the survivors prior to the reception.

Also speaking today were two survivors of abuse. 

“Someone who was supposed to protect, teach and mentor me took advantage of that position and harmed me greatly.  I was a kid at the time and a young adult when I came forward and reported what happened.  I did it by sending an email to the CAC and DA’s Office,” said Ray, who was sexually abused by a youth baseball coach as a child. "I didn’t know what kind of response I would get.  I thought I had waited too long to tell, only to learn that most survivors of child abuse and sexual assault don’t tell until they’re older adults….It’s okay if it takes a while to come forward.  But that’s not talked about enough.”

“If a child can find the strength to talk about abuse, we can find the strength to climb on their behalf.  To witness the bravery of these survivors is inspiring.  We owe it to each of them and the victims who have not yet found their voice to ensure that they have access to the services and resources necessary to help heal,” Hayden said.

For more information on the CAC, visit www.suffolkcac.org.

 James Borghesani, Chief of Communications