Press Release: 10/2/2026

Healey-Driscoll Administration Brings Together More Than 320 Leaders for 2026 Victim Services Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

10/01/2026



NORWOOD — The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) gathered more than 320 law enforcement professionals, prosecutors, victim advocates, medical and mental health professionals, child forensic interviewers, and other multidisciplinary partners from across Massachusetts for the 2026 Victim Services Conference.  



This year’s conference focused on The Role of Law Enforcement and Collaborative Path to Healing for Child Victims and Survivors, focused on strengthening the response to children who have experienced violence and abuse. The day-long program highlighted trauma-informed practices, stronger coordination across disciplines and ways to better support children and families throughout the healing process. 



Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon and MOVA Executive Director Liam Lowney welcome more than 300 attendees to the 2026 Victim Services Conference



Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon and MOVA Executive Director Liam Lowney welcome more than 300 attendees to the 2026 Victim Services Conference



“Every child deserves to feel safe, supported and heard, especially in the moments when they need us most,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is committed to making sure children and families impacted by violence or abuse can access compassionate support and the resources they need to heal. This conference brings together the people doing that work every day and strengthens our shared commitment to putting victims and survivors first.” 



“Supporting a child after trauma requires all of us working together,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Law enforcement, advocates, educators, medical professionals and service providers each play an important role, and children and families are best served when those systems work together. By building stronger partnerships across disciplines, we can make it easier for families to navigate difficult moments and connect with the help they need.” 



The conference featured breakout sessions with experts in a variety of topics, including childhood trauma, survivor-informed practices in child protection and the experiences of survivors and families navigating the criminal justice system. Specific sessions included:  




  • Listening to Learn: Survivor Voices Informing Practice in Child Protection: The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County led a discussion focused on incorporating survivor experiences into child protection practices.  

  • Trauma-Informed Law Enforcement Responses: The Municipal Police Training Committee explored trauma-informed approaches for law enforcement from the first contact with a child through follow-up.  

  • Victim Compensation and Access: MOVA discussed victim compensation and improving access to resources for child victims and survivors.  

  • Multidisciplinary Responses: Sessions explored collaboration among law enforcement, medical providers, advocates and other professionals in child abuse and pediatric and adolescent sexual assault cases.  

  • Survivor and Family Voices: An EOPSS-led afternoon session examined the experiences of survivors and families navigating systems, accessing information and pursuing healing from investigation through post-conviction. 



“The Healey-Driscoll Administration remains committed to supporting victims, survivors, and their families,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. “This event provides an important forum for our statewide partners to share experiences and learn best practices for supporting people in some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Whether they are pursuing answers, justice, information or healing, we share a commitment to show up for victims, earn their trust, and make Massachusetts safer for everyone.” 



“Survivor voices must be at the center of our work,” said MOVA Executive Director Liam Lowney. “Today’s conference created an opportunity for law enforcement, advocates, and community partners to listen to survivors and learn from their lived experiences. When we want to understand what survivors need and where systems can improve, we need to ask survivors and listen to what they tell us. Their insights help shape more trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and victim-centered approaches that can best support their healing.” 



MOVA works to advance victims’ rights and ensure victims and survivors of crime across Massachusetts have access to high-quality, trauma-informed and culturally responsive services. Through funding, training, technical assistance, advocacy and partnerships with victim service providers and community organizations, MOVA works to strengthen the network of services available to victims, survivors and their families across the Commonwealth. 



The 2026 Victim Services Conference featured expert panels and breakout sessions focused on supporting child victims and survivors, strengthening trauma-informed care and advancing collaboration across disciplines.



The 2026 Victim Services Conference featured expert panels and breakout sessions focused on supporting child victims and survivors, strengthening trauma-informed care and advancing collaboration across disciplines.



Across state government, the Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to advance a victim-centered approach to public safety by strengthening services for victims and survivors, expanding trauma-informed practices, and supporting collaboration among law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates, service providers and community partners. 



Notable initiatives and accomplishments include: 




  • Improving Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Testing: The Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab tested 674 Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits in FY26, completing 668, or 99.1%, within the Commonwealth’s 30-day turnaround requirement. Fifty-two of the kits tested were pediatric or adolescent kits. Survivors also have access to Track-Kit, a confidential system that allows them to follow their kit through the testing process. 

  • Combating Child Exploitation: Massachusetts State Police efforts to combat child exploitation included Operation Firewall, which resulted in 56 arrests, 33 search warrants and 227 devices seized. MSP also reported 37 child sexual abuse material investigations, 25 arrests for possession of child sexual abuse material and 19 arrests for child enticement. 

  • Strengthening Trauma-Informed Law Enforcement Training: Since 2025, 1,478 new police officers have graduated from MPTC-operated and authorized academies, where basic recruit training includes domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking and incorporates trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches. In Training Year 2026, domestic violence was also a required training topic for every officer in Massachusetts. 

  • Investing in Victim Services: Since 2023, the Office of Grants and Research has awarded more than $12.7 million in Violence Against Women Act STOP funding to 42 police departments, District Attorney’s Offices and nonprofit service providers to support prevention, enforcement and services for victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking. 

  • Strengthening the Human Trafficking Response: The Commonwealth hired its first Statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Director and advanced implementation of its Five-Year Human Trafficking Plan, including establishing Human Trafficking Liaisons across state government. EOPSS and the Office of Grants and Research also provided $390,000 to 15 nonprofit human trafficking service providers to expand staffing and resources during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

  • Keeping Victims Informed: The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services maintains the Commonwealth’s Victim Notification Registry, which includes approximately 78,000 registered individuals, including 2,650 new registrations in FY26. 

  • Supporting Victims Through Incarceration and Release: The Department of Correction’s Victim Services Unit served 8,949 victims and petitioners, assisted 1,510 individuals with Victim Notification Registry registration, and provided 640 notifications and assistance related to final releases. 

  • Supporting Survivors and Families: The Sex Offender Registry Board’s Victim Services Unit supports survivors and families throughout the registration and classification process. As of September 17, SORB had 9,049 registered survivors and 5,496 registered parents and guardians. In 2026 to date, the unit has generated 2,606 written victim notifications and processed 201 victim impact statements. 

  • Ensuring Victims Have a Voice in the Parole Process: The Parole Board Victim Services Unit provided 18,956 notifications related to parole events, supported 140 victims and survivors at 68 Victim Access Hearings, and supported 547 survivors participating in life-sentence hearings. The unit also registered 353 victims, survivors and family members to receive notifications and participate in the parole process. 



Together, these efforts reflect the Commonwealth’s broader commitment to putting victims and survivors at the center of the public safety and criminal justice systems. The 2026 Victim Services Conference builds on that work by bringing together the professionals who support victims and families every day to strengthen partnerships, share best practices and improve how Massachusetts responds to those impacted by violence and crime. 



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