Week 3 - Risk Assessment Flashcards
What are the key tools used for intimate partner violence (IPV) risk assessment?
Danger Assessment
Domestic Violence Screening Inventory
Spousal Assault Risk Assessment Guide
Brief Spousal Assault Form for the
Evaluation of Risk
Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment
What are the 12 key risk factors for IPV perpetration?
Past physical/sexual violence
Violent thoughts
Escalation of violence
Violation of court orders
Attitudes supporting domestic violence
Other criminality
Relationship problems
Employment/financial problems
Substance abuse
Trauma or victimization
Mental disorder
Suicidal ideation or intent
Why is past physical/sexual violence a critical risk factor for future IPV?
It’s a strong predictor of future IPV, with studies showing a consistent link.
Severe or escalating IPV is also tied to femicide.
How do violent thoughts, threats, and stalking contribute to IPV risk?
Violent ideation and credible threats are key factors in IPV recidivism and severity.
Stalking often leads to physical violence and is linked to severe IPV.
Why is escalation of violence a warning sign?
Escalation in frequency, severity, or type of violence signals an imminent risk of IPV recidivism and can lead to life-threatening assaults. This may happen due to desensitization, reinforcement, or external stressors.
How does violating court orders impact IPV risk?
It increases the risk of IPV recidivism and reflects antisocial attitudes. Offenders with lower stakes in conformity are more likely to violate court orders.
What role do attitudes supporting domestic violence play in IPV risk?
IPV perpetrators often minimize, deny, or deflect responsibility for their violence. These attitudes are linked to higher recidivism and resistance to treatment.
How does a perpetrator’s criminal history affect IPV risk?
A history of violence toward non-intimate victims or other non-violent criminality correlates with severe IPV risk. Violating parole or probation also indicates higher recidivism
When is IPV risk highest in relationships?
The risk is highest during relationship instability, particularly after separation or when the abuser seeks reconciliation. Most lethal IPV occurs in the first year of separation.
How do employment and financial problems influence IPV risk?
Low income, unstable jobs, and financial stress increase IPV risk. Unemployment heightens risk by increasing psychological distress, leading to displaced stress on family members.
What is the relationship between substance abuse and IPV?
Substance abuse has a strong connection to IPV and increases the likelihood of violent recidivism. It can also indicate other underlying issues.
How does trauma or victimization contribute to IPV perpetration?
Childhood trauma, exposure to family violence, and learned maladaptive behaviors increase IPV risk. Many IPV perpetrators have been victims or witnesses of violence.
How do mental disorders affect IPV risk?
Conditions like delusions, psychosis, and anxiety can increase the risk of violence and undermine the perpetrator’s ability to manage risk and comply with treatment.
What is the link between suicidal ideation and IPV?
Suicidal ideation or intent can destabilize individuals, leading to a higher risk of violence. There’s a known correlation between suicidality and violent behavior, including homicide-suicide.
What are barriers to security that victims face?
Unsafe living conditions (e.g., lack of home security or unsafe environments)
Financial constraints that force them to stay with abusers
The need for improved security measures like locks, alarms, or relocation.
What are the barriers to independence that IPV victims face?
Financial dependence on the abuser and concerns about children’s well-being are significant barriers. Fear of losing children or legal repercussions may prevent victims from leaving.
How does interpersonal resources affect IPV victims?
Lack of positive social support increases isolation, while negative social influences can condone violence, making it harder for victims to seek help.
How does limited access to community resources affect IPV victims?
Limited access to legal remedies and shelters increases vulnerability. Many victims are unaware of available resources or face barriers that restrict access.
How do victims’ attitudes and behaviors influence their situation?
Fear, helplessness, and attachment to the abuser may reduce motivation to seek help. Cultural or religious beliefs may also cause victims to accept violence as normal.
What mental health challenges are common among IPV victims?
IPV victims often suffer from anxiety, PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Substance abuse can further complicate their situation
what is risk?
hazard that is unknown and can only be predicted with uncertainty
complex - there is an upper limit on validity of tools
what is violence
a (plan/attempt/threat/act) by a (person/collective) that (deliberately/recklessly/negligently) cause (actual/fear of) (social/psychological/physical) direct harm to another (person/collective) without (consent/lawful authority)
4 challenges of violence
linguistic - we dont know how to define it
epistemic - we dont know what causes it
evaluative - we dont know how to measure it or its causal risk factors
aleatory - we dont know how to predict it for individual cases
IPV WHO definition
any behaviour within a present or former intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm
targeted violence in the context of relationships with potential for secondary victims - children of
abused - not primary targets - future partners
what is a risk assessment
Process of gathering information about people to make decisions regarding their risk
sources of information for risk assessment
Interview with person being assessed
Interviews with collateral informants- friends and family health care providers
Victim interview
Psychological testing - Cognitive measure, personality measure, anger measure
Clinical file information
medical treatment records
police records
Other records (e.g., criminal record, school records, healthcare records)
goals of risk assesment
consistent/replicable results
prescriptive
open/transparent
purpose of risk assessment
predicting vs preventing
what is a risk factor
A correlate that precedes the occurrence of the hazard and therefore may play a causal role
types of risk factors
Fixed/Historical/Static
A risk factor that does not change over time (e.g. gender, history of previous violence)
Variable/Dynamic
A risk factor that has the ability to change over time (e.g., substance use, mental illness)
approaches to risk assessment
unstructured clinical judgement - subjective and inaccurate
actuarial - quantitative, algorithmic, uses variables and statistics
structured professional judgement - brings together clinical and actuarial to take individuality into account
actuarial risk assessment process
uses an algorith or equation to combine factors conductive to risk
provides absolute estimate - tries to assign a value to something uncertain
example of score - 50% over next 5 years
psychopathy checklist revised
people have used as a risk assessment but it isnt
3 point score, 0-40, 30+
psychopathy and IPV
IPV offenders have lower psychopathy scores than general offenders - less likely to feel connection for a relationship
scores associated with violent recidivism, amongst strongest predictors of dichotomous IPV recidivism
how are the presence of risk factors rated
Yes - present, evidence of presence
P - possible, partially, unsure
N - absent, no evidence
omit - no information, cannot tell
recent - in past year
past - prior to past year
nature of IPV risk factors
intimidation - not explicit
threats - explicit
physical harm - actual or potential
sexual harm - and arguments of sexual jealously
severe - life threatening, attempted
chronic - persistent, frequent, multiple victims, opportunity
escalating - frequency, intensity, diversity, severity
IPV related violations - no contant, peace bond
SARA V3 - perpetrator risk factors
problems with - intimate and non-intimate relationships, employment/finances, trauma/victimizsation, general antisocial conduct, major mental illness, personality disorder, substance use, violent/suicidal ideation, distorted thinking about IPV
SARA V3 victim vulnerability factors
barries to security, independence, interpersonal resources, community resources, attitudes or behaviour, mental health
case formulation in risk assessment
process or product of gathering and integrating diverse clinical information to develop a concise account of the relevant variables affecting a person’s mental health and to guide decision-making
goals of formulation in risk assessment
- Understanding “rootcauses” of violence
- Conceptualize how relevant risk factors are related to pathways to violence
use formulation to guide scenario planning
targeting management strategies towards root causes of violent behaviour
scenarios
repeat - consider all violence
twist - change in motivation, victimology, behavioural topography
escalation - lethal or worst case scenario
improvement - desistence or best case scenario
risk management
identify and target relevant risk factors
- what drives violence, complicated management?
consider monitoring (monitor warning signs, probation, reporting), supervision (controls or freedom restrictions, no contact, alcohol, curfew), and treatment (rehabilitation and future assessments, interventions)
conclusory opinions
case prioritization - degree of effort or intervention required (risk level)
serious physical harm risk
imminent violence risk - rare
other risks indicated
when should case review be?
