Suffolk County Attorney's Office Recognized as Children's Advocate of the Year

November 24, 2008

Suffolk County Attorney's Office Recognized as "Children's Advocate of the Year"

Hauppauge, NY - Special recognition has been given to the Suffolk County Attorney's office for its work in advocating the best interests of children prior to and throughout Family Court proceedings.

The Family Court Bureau of the County Attorney's office was recently designated the Marcie Mazzola Foundation's "Children's Advocate of the Year" for 2008 at a ceremony hosted by the Education & Assistance Corporation (EAC). Marcie Mazzola was only 21 years old when she died tragically in an automobile accident; her family established the foundation in 2003 "to help better the lives of abused and at-risk children and to build community awareness regarding the needs of children."

County Attorney Christine Malafi accepted the award the award on behalf of the 23 attorneys in the bureau at a ceremony at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Malafi said she and Suffolk Executive Steve Levy have made the Family Court unit a priority since Levy took office in 2004. "Our attorneys have made 'best interest of the child' the cornerstone of our work each and every day," Malafi said.

Levy added, "Protection of our children is essential, because they are so susceptible. This award is a reflection of the commitment that this bureau has made to ensuring that justice prevails in Family Court proceedings."

EAC's Suffolk County Child Advocate Center is a facility for examining, treating and comforting children who may have been abused, with an emphasis on minimizing associated trauma. EAC President and CEO Lance W. Elder and Executive Vice President Rebecca Bell praised the Suffolk Attorney's Family Court Bureau for its vigilance in investigating and prosecuting child abuse sex cases, and for its compassionate approach in working with youngsters and members of the EAC.

"The county attorney's office has been an integral partner with us," Bell said. "As a result, many individuals have been prosecuted and many children have seen justice come out of the most difficult circumstances."