Put the Focus on Victims
Understand Victims . Help Victims Heal . Consider Culture and Diversity . Resources
skip navigation 

Serving Adolescent Victims

Building Collaborations

To address sexual violence among adolescents, consider collaborating with community organizations that work with adolescents. Additionally, consider—

  • Creating victim-centered vertical sexual violence units within criminal justice agencies so that victims can keep the same legal professionals throughout a case.
  • Involving systems- and community-based service providers who understand the local languages and dialects of adolescents.
  • Collaborating with neighborhood watch groups, faith-based providers, community youth organizations, ethnically based organizations, and local businesses.
  • Coordinating focus groups where teens can discuss their concerns, needs, and perceptions about sexual violence.
  • Partnering with community educators and youth organizations to train students, parents, teachers, and community leaders in how to respond to adolescents who disclose sexual assault.
  • Giving presentations on prevention education and risk reduction.