The District Attorney’s Office and Child Abuse Investigations The District Attorney, Lynne Abraham, is the chief law enforcement officer for the City and County of Philadelphia. By and through her Assistant District Attorneys, the DA fights crime by prosecuting criminals and advocating for the rights of victims. The Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit of the DA’s office prosecutes cases involving sexual assault, felony domestic violence, and physical and sexual abuse of children. After a preliminary hearing in Family Court, cases involving adult offenders in these types of crimes go to the FV&SA unit for prosecution. Prosecutors in this unit receive specialized training in trial advocacy and all areas of family violence, child abuse, and sexual assault to maximize the effectiveness of prosecution and give a strong voice to victims of crime. The attorneys, detectives, and victim/witness coordinators in the Family Violence & Sexual Assault Unit work together in a multidisciplinary approach and collaborate with other government agencies and victim advocacy organizations to share information, educate, and provide support to victims and their families. Staff of the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, have worked closely with the Children’s Alliance and all the MDT partners to prosecute cases and help to effect justice for victims of child sexual abuse. The 17 attorneys of the Unit make continuous improvements to better serve crime victims and advocate for them in court. The Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit’s offices also include comfortable rooms where the attorneys can talk with child victims of crime before a hearing or a trial. They also sponsor Court School, a relaxed and interactive program to help prepare children and their families for the Court Room experience and bring a sense of justice and closure for them. Back