REALISTIC RISK ASSESSMENT IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS

"We trust that we will be able to help people to grow and develop to reach their full potential."

 

Several risk factors are associated with violent relationships. We would like you to be aware of the real danger in abusive situations. However it is very difficult to assess how many risk factors apply to a specific individual’s situation, because it usually happens behind closed doors.

 Abuse includes one or more of the following:

·          Slapping, pushing; no injuries and/or lasting pain

·          Punching, kicking; bruises, cuts, and/or continuing pain

·          "Beating up"; severe contusions, burns, broken bones, miscarriage

·          Threatening to use weapon; threat to cause head injury, internal injury, permanent injury or miscarriage

·          Use of weapon; wounds from weapon

·          Verbal and emotional abuse

 Questionnaire:

  • Has the physical violence increased in severity or frequency over the past year?
  • Does he/she own a gun?
  • Have you left him/her after living together during the past year?
  • Is he/she unemployed?
  • Has he/she ever used a weapon against you or threatened you with a weapon?
  • Does he/she threaten to kill you?
  • Has he/she avoided being arrested for domestic violence?
  • Do you have a child that is not his/hers?
  • Has he/she ever forced you to have sex when you did not wish to do so?
  • Does he/she ever try to choke you?
  • Does he/she use illegal drugs? (E.g. amphetamines, speed, angel dust, cocaine, tik, "crack", street drugs or mixtures.)
  • Does he/she use prescription medication?
  • Is he/she an alcoholic or problem drinker?
  • Is he/she a problem gambler?
  • Does he/she control most or all of your daily activities? (For example: does he/she tell you who you can be friends with, when you can see your family, how much money you can use, or when you can take the car?)
  • Is he/she violently and constantly jealous of you?(For instance, does he/she say "If I can't have you, no one can.")
  • Have you ever been beaten by him while you were pregnant?
  • Has he/she ever threatened or tried to commit suicide?
  • Does he/she threaten to harm your children/friends/family?
  • Do you believe he/she is capable of killing you?
  • Does he/she follow or spy on you, leave threatening notes or messages on answering machine, destroy your property, or call you when you don’t want him/her to?
  • Have you ever threatened or tried to commit suicide?

Aquilla Gazette