The Role of the Victim and Victim Advocate in Managing Sex Offenders

1. The Role of the Victim and Victim Advocate in Managing Sex Offenders Section 1: Introduction

2. Overview of Curriculum • Introduction • Understanding Sexual Assault from a Victim’s Perspective • Working with Victim Advocates • Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management • Strategies for Applying the Victim-Centered Approach Section 1: Introduction

3. Training Goals To provide an overview of: • What is meant by a victim-centered approach to the management of sex offenders in the community; • The impact sexual assault can have on its victims; • The rationale for and the benefits of involving victims and victim advocates in sex offender management; and • Some of the ways that those involved in sex offender management – including victims and victim advocates – can effectively collaborate. Section 1: Introduction

4. Learning Objectives Participants will be able to describe: • The benefits of involving victims and victim advocates in sex offender management; and • The three dimensions of a victim-centered approach to sex offender management. Section 1: Introduction

5. Why Are We Here? Preventing re-offense: You can’t do it alone! Section 1: Introduction

6. How Do We Benefit? • More information about offenders’ patterns of offending and modus operandi; • More information about offenders’ history; • Input on release planning and setting conditions of supervision; • Better, more specific and accurate treatment and supervision plans; and • Help in monitoring offenders. Section 1: Introduction

7. How Do Victims and Victim Advocates Benefit? • Their safety and information needs more consistently and thoroughly met; • Opportunities to provide input that could help to more effectively understand and manage the offender; and • Opportunities to collaborate on activities and initiatives that could help to prevent future victimization. Section 1: Introduction

8. Premises of Sex Offender Management • Requires multi-disciplinary collaboration. • Victim and community safety are paramount and should be placed at the forefront of sex offender management strategies. Section 1: Introduction

9. Victim-Centered Approach as a Philosophy • Broaden our lens to include victims and victims advocates, not just the offender; • Recognize the ongoing risk offenders pose to the safety of victims and the community; and • Look to victims and victim advocates to inform our policies and strategies. Section 1: Introduction

10. Victim-Centered Approach as a Method • Reframe the questions that guide decisionmaking to consider the impact on victims; • Broaden our multi-disciplinary approach to sex offender management to include victim advocates; and • Seek out victim input to inform strategies. Section 1: Introduction

11. Conclusion • Questions Coming up next: • Understanding Sexual Assault from a Victim’s Perspective; • Working with Sexual Assault Victim Advocates; • Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management; and • Strategies for Applying the Victim-Centered Approach. Section 1: Introduction