The Family Justice Center is tasked with prosecuting domestic violence and child abuse cases (both sexual and physical abuse).
Child Advocacy Center
The Harford County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a multi-disciplinary center that utilizes the “best practices” in the investigation, intervention, and prosecution of crimes against children. The CAC is accredited with the National Children’s Alliance. The center includes forensic interviewers; agents from Child Protectives Services; detectives; therapists and family advocates; and Assistant State’s Attorneys. The CAC handles all aspects of sexual child abuse, child exploitation, and serious physical child abuse and child neglect cases within Harford County, Maryland.
The CAC is also designated as an affiliate agency with the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) for the investigation, intervention, and prosecution of technology-facilitated crimes against children (including sexual solicitation of children on the internet and child pornography).
If you suspect child abuse or neglect, please contact the Department of Social Services immediately at 410-836-4700.For additional information, please visit:
- http://www.harfordcac.org/
- http://dhs.maryland.gov/local-offices/harford-county/
- https://www.fcsmd.org/
Domestic Violence
The Domestic Violence Division investigates, prosecutes, and supplies resources for criminal cases involving intimate partners and former intimate partners. This Division operates out of the Family Justice Center, which was designed to enhance the coordination of efforts by locating police officers, prosecutors and victim advocates together in one place to find solutions to intimate partner violence and provide access to critical lifesaving services.
Our team is committed to not only bringing justice to abusers, but promoting safety for families. At the Family Justice Center, survivors of domestic and sexual violence can access a wide range of supportive resources, such as victim advocacy, legal assistance, crisis support, safety planning, support from law enforcement and access to shelter and other community resources.
The Office of the State’s Attorney recognizes that intimate partner violence is one of the more complicated crimes handled by this office. The prosecutors and paralegals assigned to this Division are specially trained in the dynamics of domestic violence and the decision of whether to prosecute is determined by the Assistant State’s Attorney handling the case, rather than the victim. The attorneys handle both felony and misdemeanor cases through vertical prosecution; a system whereby the same attorney and paralegal handle the case from beginning to end, which provides victims with continuity as the case travels through the system.
How to Report
In an emergency, call 911. If you are unable to do so, go to the nearest police station as soon as possible.
If you have suffered an injury, then seek medical attention and have the injuries photographed. Also photograph any potential evidence of the abuse, such as broken furniture, torn clothing, or any messages (voice mail, text, or email) which may be helpful in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
For additional information, please visit: