The Massachusetts DCF Has No Issues if their Employees have an active Restraining Order

By: A Survivor Not a Victim
July 25, 2016

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Given the fact that the Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) is supposed to work to protect children and families against domestic violence and abuse, I find it extremely concerning that despite my multiple attempts to inform them that a current employee, who has not even been employed six months yet, has received a two-year extension on a 209A restraining order, I have not received any calls or emails back concerning this issue.

For those who are unaware, there are very few reasons that one of these restraining orders can be granted in Massachusetts; those consist of;
”Abuse” is the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between family or household members:
(a) attempting to cause or causing physical harm;
(b) placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm;
(c) causing another to engage involuntarily in sexual relations by force, threat, or duress.

State employees are subject to CORI checks. DCF employees are subject to up to and including a stage two, which includes any and all civil issues (this includes restraining orders ).

I don’t know the exact nature of his position; it includes a CORI check to that extent, and DCF needs to take this issue seriously. He (to my knowledge) has access to the vulnerable population’s personal information because of his position in the IT department. Either way, the DCF needs to investigate this matter. If I had to deal with the DCF, I most certainly would not feel comfortable with this man having (or potentially having ) access to my and my family’s personal information.