BOSTON, March 24, 2014—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and about 200 volunteers are preparing to climb Boston’s tallest building to support the victims of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Conley, along with about 35 Suffolk prosecutors and victim advocates, will scale the 61-story stairwell of the John Hancock Tower this weekend for The Ginormous Climb, a first-of-its kind vertical charity run to raise funds for and awareness of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County.

Boston Police Commissioner William Evans and about two dozen Boston Police officers and detectives are also expected to take part, as are about 150 civilian participants. Together, Boston Police, Suffolk prosecutors, and other volunteers have so far raised more than $33,000 of a $40,000 goal to support the CAC’s work and clients.

The Children’s Advocacy Center is a “one-stop shop” for children who have been abused, neglected, or exploited – oftentimes by the very adults entrusted to care for them. It acts as the hub connecting children and non-offending caregivers with police, prosecutors, medical and mental health clinicians, social service providers, and others, reducing the number of times a victim must disclose the abuse and limiting the number of agencies he or she must visit for services. The CAC’s multidisciplinary approach reduces victims’ stress and improves the outcomes of their cases in more than 1,000 referrals in Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop each year.

The Ginormous Climb will take place Saturday, March 29, at 200 Clarendon St. in Copley Square.  The event is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Media are invited to attend.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.