Who should be involved in the safety plan besides the victim?

• A. Only law enforcement
• B. Advocates, law enforcement, and service providers
• C. Only the prosecutor
• D. No one else

Answer: (B)

Collaborative safety planning brings together the people who can both support the victim and address immediate danger and practical needs. Advocates provide emotional support, information about options, and help the victim navigate resources and communicate with other systems. Law enforcement can assess and respond to immediate risk, take steps to ensure protection, and coordinate with other agencies to enforce safety measures. Service providers offer practical help like safe housing or shelter, medical and mental health care, transportation, legal assistance, and ongoing support services. When these groups work with the victim, the plan covers both short-term safety and longer-term stability, while honoring the victim’s wishes and rights. Relying on only one group would leave important safety gaps—for example, law enforcement can address danger but not necessarily the ongoing resources, and service providers alone may lack authority to protect in the moment.