December 12, 2025 – Chicopee, Massachusetts – Staff from Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Office visited Chicopee High School on Dec. 5 to provide administrators and staff with specialized training on properly filing 51A reports and responding to suspected child abuse or neglect.

Under Massachusetts law, a 51A report is a mandated notification made to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) when there is reasonable cause to believe that a child is suffering physical or emotional injury resulting from abuse or neglect. Teachers, school officials, medical professionals, and other designated “mandated reporters” are legally required to file these reports when such concerns arise.

Assistant District Attorney Eileen Sears, who leads the DA’s Special Victims Unit (SVU), facilitated the training. She walked educators through the key “do’s and don’ts” of 51A reporting — covering how to respond when a student discloses abuse involving family, peers, or others; the proper steps for notifying authorities; and best practices for preserving evidence while adhering to legal and ethical requirements.

Sears also stressed the importance of first evaluating the child’s immediate safety and paying close attention to how the student communicates their disclosure — such as their emotional state, behavior, and any visible signs of distress — as these observations are vital to include when submitting a report.

Following the presentation, educators had the opportunity to ask questions about real-world scenarios they may face in school settings. One educator asked about human trafficking and expressed concern for children — specifically girls — recently going missing in the area. They asked Sears what, if anything, they should be looking for, to which she provided some examples.

This includes, but is not limited to, a girl coming to school with extensions, long fingernails, and nice makeup. For a boy, it might be a nice pair of sneakers. While this might not seem alarming, Sears explained that concern can be raised if the boy comes from a family who cannot afford name brand shoes, or if the young girl regularly has short nails and one day comes in with bejeweled fingers.

Ulitmately, she asked the room full of educators to be observant and to file if they believe a child is in danger.

“You guys are on the front lines,” she said, adding that students see and know these educators likely better than most adults.

“Kids are counting on you, so don’t let them down,” Sears concluded.

The Hampden District Attorney’s Office continues to partner with local schools, law enforcement, and community agencies to provide free training and resources that support child safety and mandated reporting across the county. Should your school be interested in hosting a similar presentation, please contact Gina Anselmo, Deputy Director of the Community Safety & Outreach Unit, at gina.anselmo@mass.gov.