Partnering in Response to Sexual Violence: How Offender Treatment and Victim Advocacy Can Work Together in Response to Sexual Violence

Abstract

The role of interagency collaboration is extremely important in response to sexual violence. This article examines the conceptual underpinnings of collaborative responses in this arena, including the guiding principle of victim and community safety, as well as the need for coherent system responses. The Connecticut Collaborative model is discussed, along with the necessary components to develop a successful collaborative response, the typical problems likely to be encountered, and strategies to overcome these problems. The central thesis of the article is that a collaborative response is critical to combating sexual violence effectively.