How can schools collaborate with community organizations to support TDV victims?

• A. Provide counseling and resources only through school staff without external partners.
• B. Refer to local shelters, victim services, legal aid, and hotlines; coordinate safety planning and connect families to external resources.
• C. Wait for families to request resources.
• D. Discourage seeking outside resources.

Answer: (B)

Collaborating with community organizations expands safety and support for teen dating violence victims by bringing in specialized resources and expertise beyond what a school can provide alone. Referring to local shelters, victim services, legal aid, and hotlines connects students and families with essential services for safety, housing, counseling, legal protections, and crisis support. Coordinating safety planning with these partners helps families put concrete steps in place—such as arranging safe housing options, understanding protective orders, and ensuring plans that work both at school and at home—while professionals offer trauma-informed advocacy and ongoing assistance. This approach also helps ensure confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and access to a wider network of support, making it easier for families to navigate medical, legal, and social services with trusted guidance.

Providing counseling only through school staff limits access to specialized services; waiting for families to request resources is a passive delay that can leave victims at risk; discouraging outside resources blocks access to crucial help.