The Family Services Unit consists of three detectives and one victim advocate. Members of this unit work closely with Alternative House and other organizations to provide support and assistance to victims of domestic violence and their families. The victim advocate acts as a liaison with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and lead right into Abuse Prevention Orders. Additionally, detectives in the Family Services Unit investigate child abuse cases, crimes against the elderly, missing and runaway youth, and sexual assaults.

If you or a loved one are a victim of any of these crimes and need help, please contact LPD communications at 978-937-3200 for emergencies dial 911.

Services for Victims and Families

Alternative House is a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of services for domestic violence victims including emergency shelter, legal advocacy and support, community education and training, and access to a confidential crisis hotline.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

The Center for Hope and Healing, Inc. (21 George Street, Suite 400, Lowell, MA) is a sexual assault program that provides services including individual counseling, legal advocacy, general advocacy, and a 24/7 hotline for survivors.

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is a nonprofit organization that provides family support services and offers in-home therapy.
For more information on Wayside in Lowell, please click here.

To view a list of resources for victims of domestic violence in Spanish, Khmer, Arabic, Swahili, or Portuguese, please visit the links listed below.

Resources for Victims (Spanish)
Resources for Victims (Khmer)
Resources for Victims (Arabic)
Resources for Victims (Swahili)
Resources for Victims (Portuguese)

Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used by one person to maintain power or control over another. This can include threats, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse. Domestic violence can follow a particular pattern, such as the cycle of violence, or may be random acts. The cycle of violence includes three phases: a tension building phase, an acute violent incident, and a honeymoon phase. During the tension building phase, the abuser frequently argues with the
victim and becomes easily frustrated. Abuse occurs during the acute violent incident phase and is followed by a honeymoon phase. During the honeymoon phase, the abuser apologizes for their actions and promises that they’ll never do it again. This phase often gives the victim hope that the abuser will change their behavior.

For more information on Lowell Police Department’s Domestic Violence Resources click here.

Domestic violence crosses all social, economic, racial, cultural and religious boundaries. If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence and need help, please contact Lowell Police Communications at 978-937-3200 for emergencies please call 911.

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 (CAPTA) Reauthorization Act of 2010 defines child abuse and neglect as “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.” The most common forms of child abuse are: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.

Massachusetts General Law (Chapter 119 Section 51A) requires mandated reporters (e.g. doctors, teachers, guidance counselors, etc.) to immediately notify the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) whenever they have reasonable cause to believe a child may be a victim of abuse.

If you are witnessing child abuse as it happens, call 911. To report suspected child abuse or something you have witnessed in the past, please call the Lowell Police Department Communications 978-937-3200 or in an emergency please call 911.

For information from LPD on mandated reporting and child abuse click here.

To learn more about child abuse and prevention strategies, please visit the CDC website here.