From Policy to Practice: Advancing Victim-Centered Engagement in Post-Conviction Sex Offender Supervision

• In Event: New Directions in Preventing Sexual Violence

Abstract

Despite growing efforts to integrate victim and community engagement into sex offender management and supervision (SOMS), significant gaps remain in understanding how these approaches function in practice. This panel explores the evolving role of victim and community engagement in SOMS, focusing on policy frameworks, practical implementation strategies, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Through document analysis and interviews with victim advocates, we examine the extent to which victim perspectives shape post-conviction practices, including supervision, reentry coordination, safety planning, and restorative justice initiatives. Additionally, we assess the role of victim advocates in legislative efforts, the impact of community education, and the challenges of multidisciplinary collaboration among supervision professionals, treatment providers, and victim representatives. Key areas of interest include barriers to victim participation in management decisions and best practices for enhancing safety, accountability, and community reintegration. By identifying gaps and opportunities in post-conviction engagement, this project offers critical insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to strengthen victim-centered approaches, advancing public safety and harm prevention.

Authors

• Michelle Reilly, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Andrew Harris, University of Massachusetts Lowell