NORTHAMPTON — The new programs coordinator for the Elder and Persons with Disabilities Unit in the Northwestern district attorney’s office knows firsthand how abuse and exploitation can destroy a family.
“What that did to my family was horrible,” Rachel Senecal said, recalling how her grandmother was exploited financially. “You don’t want to see that happen to any other families. It was just a horrible thing to go through.”
Senecal is now on the front line, helping to educate seniors and those with disabilities about potential scams and other issues that can arise. The programs are designed to make help make their lives safer and to make them feel more empowered, Senecal said.
“I have always had a deep respect for elders,” she said. “I believe that regardless of their life before they turned 60, they warrant just a different level of respect.”
The unit is charged with investigating and prosecuting crimes in which elders and persons with disabilities have been victimized. It also serves as an educational arm to provide training to vulnerable populations and local law enforcement agencies. It covers Hampshire and Franklin counties as well as Athol.
In 2016, the Elders and Persons with Disabilities Protection Unit investigated and/or prosecuted 175 cases in which elders or persons with disabilities were victims, according to the district attorney’s annual report.
In addition to her own family’s experience, Senecal said she wanted to help after watching a friend with a severe physical disability go through a similar situation.
“The things that it does to these families, it’s catastrophic,” she said. “I feel like to be able to do my part to help the victims and to help bring these perpetrators to justice is really what drew me in.”
Senecal, an Easthampton resident, was born and raised in Chicopee. She graduated from the University of New Haven in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in investigative services. She earned a master’s degree in criminal justice from Westfield State University in 2013, according to the district attorney’s office.
Senecal worked as a private investigator specializing in workman’s compensation before accepting a position at the Northwestern district attorney’s office in district court administration in 2014.
She began in her new position officially on July 1, working alongside former coordinator Chris Geffin, who stayed on for about a month to help Senecal transition into the role.
“She’s going to be great. She’s got the energy. She is certainly a very intelligent young woman who has a great personality, who will be able to work with people and sometimes it’s very difficult,” Geffin said. “I think she will do a great job. I have all the faith and confidence in the world for her.”
Geffin served in that role for 19 years and helped start the unit around 15 years ago. At the time, it was the second of its kind in the state, according to Geffin.
She also started the drug take back program in the area in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Geffin said her role included getting drug boxes in police stations and getting grants to help area police departments get boxes into their stations.
Now a month into her retirement, Geffin said she is going to spend time with her grandchildren and children as well as relaxing. She said she would likely go back to work at some point.
“It was probably one of the best experiences of my life,” Geffin said of her job with the district attorney’s office.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.