Who helps develop a Long Term Safety Plan?

• A. The victim advocate
• B. The officer alone
• C. The offender
• D. The judge

Answer: (B)

Safety planning in high-risk situations hinges on establishing clear, actionable steps that keep someone safe over time. The officer who responds to the scene is in the best position to take the lead in developing a Long Term Safety Plan because they coordinate the case, document risks, and ensure the plan is concrete and trackable. By guiding what needs to happen next—such as pursuing protective orders, arranging safe housing or shelter options, setting up follow-up check-ins, and outlining steps to take if the risk escalates—the officer creates a structured path to safety that can be carried out over the coming days and weeks. A victim advocate plays a crucial role in providing information, emotional support, and connecting resources, but the planning itself is centered on the officer’s authority and responsibility to ensure continuity and accountability. The offender is the source of the risk and is not involved in creating safety measures, and the judge’s job is to issue orders in court rather than develop the ongoing safety actions.