Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management The Role of the Victim and Victim Advocate in Managing Sex Offenders

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 2 Learning Objectives Participants will be able to: zName specific strategies for involving victim advocates and victims in sex offender management; zUnderstand better the needs and concerns of victims that probation and parole staff should take into account when developing strategies for victim involvement or when contacting or interviewing victims; zIdentify the information needed by the interviewer and the victims during pre-sentence investigation; and zIdentify the information that should be provided to the victim at the pre-release phase.

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 3 What Advocates Can Do With and For You zDay-to-day offender management zPolicy development zProfessional training, community education, information-sharing, and networking

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 4 What Advocates Can Do With and For You: Day-to-Day Offender Management zExplain the community supervision and treatment program to victims zOffer assistance to any new victims the offender might disclose during supervision or treatment zAddress victimization issues of family and friends of offenders zAct as a liaison for victims with criminal justice system professionals and other victim service providers zEnsure that victims are informed of changes in offenders’ status

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 5 What Advocates Can Do With and For You: Day-to-Day Offender Management (continued) zCommunicate with criminal justice system, treatment providers, and others on behalf of victims zFacilitate victim input regarding supervision and treatment plans zHelp identify when routine offender re- assessment is needed and help identify changes to supervision and treatment plans zAccompany supervision officers on field visits to offer a victim-centered perspective

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 6 What Advocates Can Do With and For You: Day-to-Day Offender Management (continued) zDiscuss with the case management team how specific interventions serve the best interest of the victim and community zHelp treatment providers develop victim empathy programs zParticipate in case review meetings and share information (with victim’s consent) zAssist victims in intra-familial sexual abuse cases assess the risks involved in family reunification and monitor the reunification process to ensure safety

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 7 What Advocates Can Do With and For You: Policy Development zHelp review the policies and practices of the sex offender management system and assist in improving systemic responses to victims zOffer a victim perspective on proposed policy to ensure that changes do not compromise the safety and interests of victims zPromote legislation that protects victims and communities and holds offenders more accountable zHelp craft policies that broaden coordination among agencies and streamlined, coordinated sexual assault services

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 8 What Advocates Can Do With and For You: Training, Community Education, Information-Sharing, and Networking zProvide training and information about the nature and prevalence of sexual assault, and the range of resources available to respond to victims of sexual assault zEnhance the ability of supervision agencies and treatment providers to create effective victim- centered policies and identify victim concerns or potential problems in individual cases zParticipate in community notification efforts zProvide important input into the support or opposition of legislation related to sexual assault

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 9 What Victims Need zAdvocacy during the pre-sentencing and post- release phases of a sex offender’s criminal justice involvement zSafety assurances and precautions during the victim’s involvement in the criminal justice system zControl over their involvement in the system. zInformation on the offender’s status, notification procedures, probation or parole conditions, compensation obligations, court dates, and sentencing guidelines.

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 10 What Victims Need (continued) zThe ability to give input throughout the criminal justice system process. zAdditional support for themselves and their families (e.g., emotional support, financial assistance, etc.). zThe ability to contact a supervision officer or other designated individual with questions and information.

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 11 Contact and Interviews When contacting or interviewing victims: zBe clear about the purpose of the interview, how the information will be used, and who will have access to it. zExplain the role of a supervision officer and what the victim can expect. zAsk if the victim is receiving necessary support services. zAsk the victim about a safety plan. zAnswer the victim’s questions. zMake referrals to victim advocates or others who can provide support to the victim and respond to their needs. zRefer victims to different advocates or services for different purposes.

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 12 Pre-Sentence Investigations When collecting information for a pre-sentence investigation report: zExplain that you are interested in hearing about the victim's experiences, feelings, and thoughts during and since the assault. zAsk the victim what s/he would like to see happen. zExplain the victim’s role on the day of sentencing. zMake sure the victim knows that a victim advocate can go with him/her to the sentencing if the victim chooses to attend. zAsk the victim if s/he wants a no contact order.

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 13 Information Specific to the Offender’s Release to Community Supervision When providing information about the offender’s supervision in the community: zExplain the role of a supervision officer and what will be done to maintain the victim's safety. zExplain the limits of confidentiality and what information about the offender can and cannot be shared. zInform the victim of where the offender is proposing to live and invite the victim to share any concerns. zTell the victim in general terms what the offender has been doing, if incarcerated, during that time. zExplain that you may be obligated to order the offender not to have contact with the victim.

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 14 Information Specific to the Offender’s Release to Community Supervision (continued) zIf a victim inquires about reunification with the offender, make sure the victim has the appropriate information, resources, and support to explore this option. zExplain the probation or parole rules and regulations by which the offender must abide and what will happen if the offender violates these requirements. zExplain community notification procedures and plans and the implications of sex offender registration for the victim. zGive the victim realistic information about what s/he can expect after the offender's release.

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 15 Interviewing Parents of Victims zWhen interviewing parents or guardians of sexual abuse victims, be mindful that they may experience the sexual assault or abuse as secondary victims, including: yAnger (e.g., at the perpetrator, at the system, and perhaps at the victim, especially in intra-familial cases); yGuilt (e.g., for having trusted the perpetrator, for not seeing sooner what was taking place); and yFeelings of mistrust (doubting one's ability to care for one's child, not knowing who to trust).

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 16 Interviewing Non-Offending Parents of Incest Survivors When interviewing non-offending parents: zExplain what the supervision priorities are. zExplain the limits of the supervision officer’s role. zProvide contact information for problems or issues that are not specific to supervision (such as treatment). zProvide referrals for other support services as necessary. zExplain how you will oversee restitution payments and the offender’s other financial obligations. zExplain the conditions under which family reunification can and cannot occur.

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 17 What to do with Information Received from the Victim zBe open with victims about how the information they provide is going to be used. yBe clear about the information we can and cannot ignore and how we will respond. zIf the victim reports a violation by the offender to the supervision officer in confidence, the officer must be creative to independently verify the information so the victim is not implicated. zPromises made to victims giving information on the condition of confidentiality must be honored to preserve the integrity of your relationship with the victim and the integrity of the system.

Section 4: Enhancing Victim Involvement in Sex Offender Management 18 Conclusion zQuestions Coming up next: zStrategies for Applying the Victim- Centered Approach