The Essex Children's Advocacy Center is a multi-disciplinary partnership of professionals that investigates allegations of child abuse and coordinates services for children and families in a child-friendly, culturally sensitive way. The Center strives to reduce the impact of trauma on victims and families, while increasing access to child and family advocates, medical and mental health evaluation and treatment, and the criminal justice system. Education, outreach and training are provided by the Center to prevent the further abuse of children and to enhance the safety of the community.

Massachusetts currently has a Children's Advocacy Center (CAC), or a developing CAC, in every county. As independent centers, or programs of the District Attorney's office, hospital or a human service agency, CACs focus on the needs of the child, reducing stress and improving the quality of the investigation.