Intimate partner violence risk assessment and management

Violence Vict. 2008;23(2):202-20. doi: 10.1891/0886-6708.23.2.202.

Abstract

While risk assessment is important in the management of intimate partner violence perpetrators, the science and practice of risk assessment in this field are still in early development. This article reviews the literature on intimate partner violence risk assessment. The original intent was to direct discussion to assist the Military Family Advocacy Program (FAP), U.S. Department of Defense, to develop guidelines for the treatment of domestic violence offenders. The article is divided into sections as follows: (a) Defining Risk; (b) The Risk Factors; (c) Models of Risk Assessment; (d) Existing Risk Instruments; (e) The Role of the Victim in Risk Assessment; (f) Qualifications to Conduct Assessments; (g) Communicating Risk; and (h) Managing Risk. Relevant issues and controversies are raised throughout the article.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health
  • Canada
  • Couples Therapy / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Marital Therapy / organization & administration*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Partners
  • Social Isolation
  • Spouse Abuse / diagnosis*
  • Spouse Abuse / prevention & control