scholarly journals Measuring intimate partner violence risk: A national survey of Canadian police officers

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-109
Author(s):  
Michael D. Saxton ◽  
Peter G. Jaffe ◽  
Anne-Lee Straatman ◽  
Laura Olszowy ◽  
Myrna Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Violence Risk

This study examined the role of police in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) and the type of strategies they apply across Canada based on a national survey of officers. The focus was on an examination of the types of structured tools Canadian police officers report using in their risk assessment strategies. The results suggest that Canadian police officers are reporting frequent engagement in risk assessments across jurisdictions. The survey findings indicate variability across provinces in the types of risk assessment tools police officers are using. Implications for future research include exploring specific provincial and territorial police risk assessment processes and the challenges in engaging in risk assessments.

A twist in Intimate Partner Violence Risk Assessment Tools: Gauging the contribution of exogenous and historical variables

2021 ◽  
pp. 107586
Author(s):  
Lara Quijano-Sánchez ◽  
Federico Liberatore ◽  
Guillermo Rodríguez-Lorenzo ◽  
Rosa E. Lillo ◽  
José L. González-Álvarez
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Violence Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Assessment Tools

Factors Associated With Police Decisions on Immediate Responses to Intimate Partner Violence

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15-16) ◽  
pp. 2993-3010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merete Berg Nesset ◽  
Johan Håkon Bjørngaard ◽  
Jim Aage Nøttestad ◽  
Richard Whittington ◽  
Cecilie Lynum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Lethal Violence ◽  
Emergency Situations

Police officers are often the first responders to intimate partner violence. The aim of the study was to examine the association between structured police assessments on-site in cases of intimate partner violence, and decisions about immediate arrest of the perpetrator and/or relocation of the victim. Data were extracted from police reports on 124 emergency visits in cases of intimate partner violence perpetrated by men toward women. Six out of totally 15 items of the intimate partner violence risk assessment measure B-SAFER were used by the front line police officers as the basis for decisions on whether or not to arrest the perpetrator or relocate the victim. The six items: perpetrator violent acts, violent threats or thoughts, escalation of violence, substance use problems, mental health problems, and breach of no-contact order, were selected on the basis of their utility in emergency situations. There were increased odds of arrest on-site if the perpetrator was physically violent (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-7.7) or had substance problems (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI = [1.0- 5.2]). There were increased odds of victim relocation if the perpetrator had mental health problems (AOR = 7.4, 95% CI = [2.4-23.1]) or if children were present on-site (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI = [1.1- 8.6]). In contrast, escalation of violence was associated with reduced odds of the perpetrator being arrested (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI = [0.1- 0.9]) or the victim being relocated (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI = [0.1- 1.3]). The finding that the police did not immediately respond to escalation, potentially signaling lethal violence needs to be addressed.

Predictors of Severe Intimate Partner Violence Among Antisocial and Family-Only Perpetrators: Victims’ and Offenders’ Characteristics

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052094371
Author(s):  
Raúl Aguilar Ruiz ◽  
María José González-Calderón
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Predictive Variables ◽  
Risk Assessment Tools ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Estimated Risk

The objective of this study was to determine the variables that predict severe intimate partner violence (S-IPV) according to the typology of abusers. The data were derived from 1,610 police reports on intimate partner violence (IPV) in Catalonia (Spain) between 2016 and 2017 obtained through the Police Risk Assessment Questionnaire. The study has compared a group of antisocial aggressors ( n = 613) with a group of family-only perpetrators ( n = 997). The chi-square test shows significant differences between antisocial and family-only groups for most of the variables analyzed. To determine the predictive variables of S-IPV in both groups, binary regression analyses were performed. In the antisocial group, death threats and degrading treatment by the aggressor significantly increased the probability of S-IPV, as did the victim’s minimization or justification of the abuse, living together with the aggressor, isolation, and drug or alcohol abuse. In the family-only group, an increase in the severity of the abuse and death threats against partners significantly increased the likelihood of perpetrating S-IPV. For the victims, being abused by a previous partner and fear for her physical integrity were found to increase the probability of suffering S-IPV. On the other hand, having filed a prior complaint appears to protect women from S-IPV, but only when the victims have antisocial perpetrators. The findings show that S-IPV risk factors are common regardless of the sociocultural context. Modifying the weighting of the factors that make up the risk assessment tools according to the typology of the abuser is suggested, as well as improving knowledge of these factors to increase the accuracy of the estimated risk. Finally, adapting supervision and monitoring measures according to the type of aggressor and taking into consideration the woman’s own perception of the danger she is in are also suggested.

Intimate Partner Violence Risk Assessment and Management

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Randall Kropp
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Military Family ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Violence Risk Assessment ◽  
Original Intent ◽  
Family Advocacy ◽  
Managing Risk

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.

Complexities of the Police Response to Intimate Partner Violence: Police Officers’ Perspectives on the Challenges of Keeping Families Safe

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052093442
Author(s):  
Michael D. Saxton ◽  
Peter G. Jaffe ◽  
Myrna Dawson ◽  
Anna-Lee Straatman ◽  
Laura Olszowy
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Managing Risk ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Qualitative Analyses

Through interviews with police officers ( n = 15), the present study examined police perspectives toward their response to intimate partner violence (IPV). Qualitative analyses indicated several challenges police officers face in responding to IPV, including barriers at the systemic, organizational, and individual levels. Police officers in the current study also identified recommendations toward overcoming barriers. Overall, results continue to underscore a lack of police consistency toward addressing IPV, including inconsistent approaches to assessing and managing risk posed to families. Conversely, qualitative results point to several recommendations that heavily involve collaboration between community and justice partners. Implications for future research and practice include further examination of the identified recommendations, a continued focus on developing training that addresses the risk posed to high-risk families, and further development of collaborative approaches toward the prevention and intervention of IPV.

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