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"Moving Beyond the Victim/Offender Framework" in Red Hook


It was standing room only for Julia Spelman's intriguing presentation yesterday afternoon, "Responding to Domestic Violence at the Red Hook Community Justice Center."  The culmination of an intensive and immersive three-month internship, Julia encouraged Red Hook's practitioners, partners, and stakeholders to consider the creation of a single position(s) that "is responsible across the board for domestic violence," for victim services and the oversight of interventions for offenders.  Julia suggested that such an approach would fit the "holistic ethos of Red Hook," and that it would bring Red Hook's operations in line with some of the latest thinking in the field. 

Julia certainly left us with a lot to ponder, discuss, and (most likely) debate in the days and weeks ahead!  Overall, I am optimistic that this was the beginning of an expansive and -- ultimately -- transformative dialogue, and I look forward to keeping her posted on Red Hook's progress.

Many thanks to Julia,
Julian

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