Gina Melendez serves as the Deputy Director of the Worcester County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), bringing years of frontline experience in victim advocacy, forensic interviewing, and multidisciplinary team (MDT) coordination. Before stepping into her leadership role, Melendez worked as a forensic interviewer, case coordinator, and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) coordinator, gaining firsthand insight into the complexities of child abuse cases.
Melendez’s journey into child advocacy began with her early work as a victim witness advocate at Fitchburg District Court. “I didn’t even know what a forensic interviewer was until I was introduced to the child abuse unit,” she recalled. “The moment I shadowed an interviewer and saw how they spoke with children, I knew this was the work I wanted to do.”
Now, as Deputy Director, Melendez plays a crucial role in overseeing daily operations and ensuring that the Worcester CAC continues to provide high-quality, trauma-informed services to children and families. “Every day looks different,” she explained. “My priority is to make sure our staff has the support they need to do their best work in serving children.”
Melendez’s leadership is deeply informed by her experience in multiple roles within the CAC and the District Attorney’s Office. “I’ve been in the position where a forensic interviewer is overwhelmed with cases, or where an advocate is struggling to meet all the needs of a family,” she said. “Having done this work myself, I know when to step in and help ease the workload.”
Among her many responsibilities, Melendez remains closely involved in the Worcester CAC’s response to CSEC cases, a cause she has dedicated herself to for more than a decade. “When I first started, we didn’t have a structured protocol for high-risk youth who were being exploited,” she said. “Now, through coordinated MDT efforts and improved statewide protocols, we’ve come a long way in identifying, supporting, and protecting these children.”
Melendez has also seen the landscape of child exploitation evolve, particularly with the rise of online exploitation and internet-facilitated abuse. “It’s scary because the internet is constantly changing, and AI-based exploitation is an emerging concern,” she noted. “Our team is doing everything we can to stay ahead by educating families and connecting kids with the right resources, but we know this is just the beginning of a growing challenge.”
Melendez sees the need for continued growth in Worcester County’s response to child abuse. “We’ve made incredible strides, growing from just a few interviewers to a full team of forensic interviewers, advocates, and CSEC coordinators,” she said. “But we still face challenges, especially when it comes to locating and supporting missing or runaway youth who are at high risk of exploitation. This work requires a broad, collaborative effort across agencies.”
Over the years, Melendez has also been able to see the impacts of a strong statewide coalition of CACs through the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (MACA). “The coalition in Massachusetts is unlike anything I’ve seen in other states,” she said. “We have such a tight-knit group of professionals who are dedicated to learning from each other and sharing resources. It makes a huge difference.”
Through her leadership, dedication to survivor-centered services, and commitment to strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration, Melendez continues to be a driving force in the Worcester CAC’s efforts to protect and support children impacted by abuse. “At the end of the day, everything we do is about making sure kids and families get the help they need,” she said. “That’s what keeps me going.”