Risk assessment

Please do the risk assessment jointly with the person you are supporting.

Our first priority when supporting someone that is living with domestic abuse is helping them stay safe. It is therefore important to assess their risk status. For instance, practical and emotional support are insufficient if the danger to their life is imminent.

For that reason, we've created a risk assessment form that you can jointly fill out with the person you are supporting. It is a short two-question survey that asks two things: how likely on a scale of 1 (not at all likely) to 10 (extremely likely) is it that the current or past partner physically assaults or seriously hurts them in the next year.

Why only two questions?

Research has shown victims' perceptions of risk are an effective predictor of repeated re-assault by their current or past partner (Goodman et al., 2000; Weisz et al., 2000; Heckert and Gondolf, 2004; Campbell et al., 2005). In other words, if victims thought it likely that their current or past partner would assault them, the chances are high that they did.

And then?

Many victims of domestic abuse who fill out this survey will probably go on to take steps to protect themselves from further abuse. The survey can be helpful in realizing their dangerous situation.

Your responsibility is then to help them to protect themselves by completing a safety plan once this survey is complete - regardless of how they answer.

Please remember that the time of separation is most dangerous for victims of domestic abuse. When the perpetrator suspects that the victim is taking measures to leave, he might be willing to use violence to get them to stay. Therefore, safety planning is crucial at this stage.

Further resources

• Campbell, J. C., O’Sullivan, C., Roehl, J., & Webster, D. (2005). Intimate partner violence risk assessment validation study, final report. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice.

• Goodman, L. A., Dutton, M. A., & Bennett, L. (2000). Predicting repeat abuse among arrested batterers: Use of the Danger Assessment Scale in the criminal justice system. Journal of interpersonal violence, 15(1), 63-74.

• Heckert, D. A., & Gondolf, E. W. (2004). Battered Women’s Perceptions of Risk Versus Risk Factors and Instruments in Predicting Repeat Reassault. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19(7), 778–800. doi:10.1177/0886260504265619

• Weisz, A. N., Tolman, R. M., & Saunders, D. G. (2000). Assessing the risk of severe domestic violence: The importance of survivors' predictions. Journal of interpersonal violence, 15(1), 75-90.

The Risk Assessment Form