Alekman DiTusa LLC

A Boston Globe investigation published this week reveals the staggering scale of online child sexual exploitation in Massachusetts and how overwhelmed law enforcement has become trying to keep up.

Some of the findings:

→ MA State Police received more than 23,000 CyberTipline reports about child exploitation in 2025, a 77% increase in a single year
→ Prosecutors have run out of investigators to handle them and are hiring retired officers just to triage cases
→ AI tools are now being used to generate abuse material, and Massachusetts is one of only five states with no law against it
→ End-to-end encryption on major platforms is making it harder, not easier, for law enforcement to detect abuse

The investigation follows the case of a Boston-area schoolteacher found to have sexually exploited approximately 20 minors across the US, UK, and Canada, some as young as 12, largely through Discord, Xbox, and other everyday platforms children use.

The legal landscape around online child exploitation is still catching up to the technology. But families do have options.

At DiTusa LLC , we represent survivors of sexual abuse, including children harmed by adults in positions of trust. If your family has been affected by online exploitation or abuse, we are here to help you understand your rights.

➡️ Full investigation from The Boston Globe in the comments.

A 14-year-old boy named Jason Bernard went to his teachers. He went to the principal. He told his mom. He asked for help repeatedly while classmates taunted him with slurs, threw rocks at him, and sent messages telling him to end his life.

No one intervened. He died by su***de in May 2025.

Massachusetts passed an anti-bullying law in 2010. It was considered one of the best in the country. And yet:

→ 41%+ of MA middle schoolers reported being bullied in 2023, up from 35% four years prior
→ 800+ families filed complaints with state oversight in just three years
→ In more than 1 in 3 cases, investigators found schools had violated the law

Our partner Laura Mangini represents a family suing Northampton Public Schools over the bullying-related su***de of their 16-year-old daughter. As she told GBH News:

"There is not a single piece of paper anywhere where anyone at Northampton did any sort of bullying investigation on behalf of my client, even though bullying was brought up multiple times."

She also shares this: "I get phone calls every week from families whose kids are being bullied at school, and the school is not doing anything."

This is not an isolated failure. It is a pattern.

Researchers and advocates are now pushing Massachusetts to strengthen the law, including mandatory in-person staff training, broader definitions of bullying, and real accountability for schools that don't act.

Every child deserves to be safe at school. If your family is facing this situation, we're here to help.

📰 Full story from GBH News in the comments.

We had a fantastic time this past Saturday at the annual Derby Party in support of Square One.

For nearly 10 years, Alekman DiTusa has been proud to support an organization that makes such a meaningful impact in the community. Events like this are a great reminder of how important it is to come together, to give back, and support the work being done for children and families.

Our team had a fabulous time enjoying the event together, connecting with others, and celebrating for this great cause. We are grateful to be part of such a special evening and for this community.

Spent the late afternoon yesterday kicking off the season ⚾️ with the Springfield OTSL—and there’s nothing better than being back on the field surrounded by community, camaraderie, and a shared love of the game.

At Alekman DiTusa, showing up matters. Supporting this league isn’t just about sponsorship—it’s about investing in the people, families, and moments that make our community what it is.

Here’s to a great season ahead 👏⚾️