You Have Options Program (YHOP) Overview and Implementation Guide
Publication Date: 2015
Abstract: The You Have Options Program (YHOP) has three goals: 1) increase sexual assault reporting by eliminating as many barriers to reporting as possible, 2) increase identification and prosecution of sexual offenders, and 3) decrease sexual assault victimization. Agencies participating in the YHOP receive training in law enforcement options for sexual assault reporting and best practice law enforcement strategies to assist in the identification and investigation of sexual offenders. These law enforcement agencies recognize the need for a victim-centered and offender-focused response to sexual violence. The traditional law enforcement response to sexual violence tends to discourage sexual assault victims from seeking assistance through the criminal justice system. As a result, often law enforcement doesn't receive the information necessary to hold sexual offenders accountable, and those offenders go on to victimize additional persons.