November 14, 2025 – West Springfield, Massachusetts – Staff from Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Office recently met with West Springfield Public Schools administrators and staff for a specialized training session on the proper procedures for filing a 51A report 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.

The hour-long session, attended by roughly 20 school leaders, was led by Assistant District Attorney Eileen Sears, Chief of the DA’s Special Victims Unit (SVU). Sears walked participants through the “do’s and don’ts” of 51A reporting — including how to respond when a student discloses abuse, whether it involves family members, peers, or others; when and how to contact authorities; and how to preserve evidence while following appropriate legal and ethical steps. Above all else, Sears emphasized that educators should first assess the child’s immediate safety and carefully observe how the child is sharing the information, including how emotional they appear, how they’re communicating, and any signs of distress, as these details are crucial to document when making a report.

Educators engaged in an active question and answer session, raising thoughtful questions about real-world scenarios they may face in school settings. For example, when asked what to do if a student’s phone contains evidence that could be deleted, Sears advised contacting the School Resource Officer immediately to secure the device as evidence. In another question, when educators shared concerns about DCF declining to take a 51A, Sears stressed the importance of filing the report anyway — reinforcing that educators’ duty is to report, not to investigate.

Sears also shared that within Hampden County alone, between 50 and 100, 51A reports are filed every week, underscoring how widespread and serious these cases are.

Gulluni praised the collaboration, “Our educators play a critical role in keeping children safe. By ensuring they understand when and how to report suspected abuse, we’re strengthening the network of protection that every child deserves.”

The Hampden District Attorney’s Office continues to partner with local schools, law enforcement, and community agencies to provide free trainings 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 and Outreach Unit, at gina.anselmo@mass.gov.