Risk Assessment Validation Study

PROJECT SUMMARY FOR 2000-WT-VX-0011 (S-2)

This project evaluates the effectiveness of four extant risk assessment instruments in predicting future danger of intimate partner violence which are already in use. A qualitative component explores the potential consequences of using risk assessments in justice, victim advocacy, and health care settings.

The four instruments under study are the Mosaic-20 and the Danger Assessment, which are intended to assess the risk of lethal violence; and the Domestic Violence Screening Instrument (DVSI) and the Kingston-Screening Instrument for Domestic Violence (K-SID), which aim to predict re-assault. The four instruments and other assessments of risk will be randomly administered to 3,000 battered women who have sought help against a violent partner in various ways: by calling 911, filing for a protective order, going to a shelter or hospital emergency room, or enrolling in a program for stalking victims or troubled families. Six months later, participants will be queried about all forms of abuse and violations of court orders since the risk assessment. They will also be asked about protective measures and offender sanctions. Criminal records will be checked one year after the baseline interview.

PROJECT SUMMARY FOR 2000-WT-VX-0011 (S-2)

This project evaluates the effectiveness of four extant risk assessment instruments in predicting future danger of intimate partner violence which are already in use. A qualitative component explores the potential consequences of using risk assessments in justice, victim advocacy, and health care settings.

The four instruments under study are the Mosaic-20 and the Danger Assessment, which are intended to assess the risk of lethal violence; and the Domestic Violence Screening Instrument (DVSI) and the Kingston-Screening Instrument for Domestic Violence (K-SID), which aim to predict re-assault. The four instruments and other assessments of risk will be randomly administered to 3,000 battered women who have sought help against a violent partner in various ways: by calling 911, filing for a protective order, going to a shelter or hospital emergency room, or enrolling in a program for stalking victims or troubled families. Six months later, participants will be queried about all forms of abuse and violations of court orders since the risk assessment. They will also be asked about protective measures and offender sanctions. Criminal records will be checked one year after the baseline interview.