Risk factor description

Perpetrator: The primary aggressor in the relationship

Victim: The primary target of the perpetrator’s abusive/maltreating/violent actions

Perpetrator history

Perpetrator History
n/aPerpetrator HistoryDefinition 
1Perpetrator was abused and/or witnessed DV as a childAs a child/adolescent, the perpetrator was victimized and/or exposed to any actual, attempted, or threatened forms of family violence/abuse/maltreatment.
2Perpetrator exposed to/witnessed suicidal behavior in family of originAs a(n) child/adolescent, the perpetrator was exposed to and/or witnessed any actual, attempted or threatened forms of suicidal behaviour in his family of origin. Or somebody close to the perpetrator (e.g., caregiver) attempted or committed suicide.

Family/economic status

Family/Economic Status

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Family/Economic StatusDefinition 
3Youth of coupleVictim and perpetrator were between the ages of 15 and 24.
4Age disparity of coupleWomen in an intimate relationship with a partner who is significantly older or younger.  The disparity is usually nine or more years.
5Victim and perpetrator living common-lawThe victim and perpetrator were cohabiting.
6Actual or pending separationThe partner wanted to end the relationship. Or the perpetrator was separated from the victim but wanted to renew the relationship. Or there was a sudden and/or recent separation. Or the victim had contacted a lawyer and was seeking a separation and/or divorce.
7New partner in victim’s lifeThere was a new intimate partner in the victim’s life or the perpetrator perceived there to be a new intimate partner in the victim’s life
8Child custody or access disputesAny dispute in regards to the custody, contact, primary care or control of children, including formal legal proceedings or any third parties having knowledge of such arguments.
9Presence of step children in the homeAny child(ren) that is(are) not biologically related to the perpetrator.
10Perpetrator unemployedEmployed means having full-time or near full-time employment (including self-employment). Unemployed means experiencing frequent job changes or significant periods of lacking a source of income. Please consider government income assisted programs (e.g., O.D.S.P..; Worker’s Compensation; E.I..; etc.) as unemployment.

Perpetrator mental health

Perpetrator Mental Health

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Perpetrator Mental HealthDefinition 
11Excessive alcohol and/or drug use by perpetratorWithin the past year, and regardless of whether or not the perpetrator received treatment, substance abuse that appeared to be characteristic of the perpetrator’s dependence on, and/or addiction to, the substance.  An increase in the pattern of use and/or change of character or behaviour that is directly related to the alcohol and/or drug use can indicate excessive use by the perpetrator.  For example, people described the perpetrator as constantly drunk or claim that they never saw him without a beer in his hand.  This dependence on a particular substance may have impaired the perpetrator’s health or social functioning (e.g., overdose, job loss, arrest, etc.).  Please include comments by family, friend, and acquaintances that are indicative of annoyance or concern with a drinking or drug problem and any attempts to convince the perpetrator to terminate his substance use. 
12Depression – in the opinion of family/friend/acquaintanceIn the opinion of any family, friends, or acquaintances, and regardless of whether or not the perpetrator received treatment, the perpetrator displayed symptoms characteristic of depression.
13Depression – professionally diagnosedA diagnosis of depression by any mental health professional (e.g., family doctor; psychiatrist; psychologist; nurse practitioner) with symptoms recognized by the DSM-IV, regardless of whether or not the perpetrator received treatment.
14Other mental health or psychiatric problems – perpetratorFor example: psychosis; schizophrenia; bi-polar disorder; mania; obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc.
15Prior threats to commit suicide by perpetratorAny recent (past 6 months) act or comment made by the perpetrator that was intended to convey the perpetrator’s idea or intent of committing suicide, even if the act or comment was not taken seriously. These comments could have been made verbally, or delivered in letter format, or left on an answering machine. These comments can range from explicit (e.g., “If you ever leave me, then I’m going to kill myself” or “I can’t live without you”) to implicit (“The world would be better off without me”).  Acts can include, for example, giving away prized possessions.
16Prior suicide attempts by perpetratorAny recent (past six months) suicidal behaviour (e.g., swallowing pills, holding a knife to one’s throat, etc.), even if the behaviour was not taken seriously or did not require arrest, medical attention, or psychiatric committal.  Behaviour can range in severity from superficially cutting the wrists to actually shooting or hanging oneself.

Perpetrator attitude/ harassment/ violence

Perpetrator Attitude/Harrassment/Violence

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Perpetrator Attitude/ Harassment/ ViolenceDefinition
17Obsessive behavior displayed by perpetratorAny actions or behaviours by the perpetrator that indicate an intense preoccupation with the victim. For example, stalking behaviours, such as following the victim, spying on the victim, making repeated phone calls to the victim, or excessive gift giving, etc.
18Failure to comply with authorityThe perpetrator has violated any family, civil, or criminal court orders, conditional releases, community supervision orders, or “No Contact” orders, etc. This includes bail, probation, or restraining orders, and bonds, etc.
19Sexual jealousyThe perpetrator continuously accuses the victim of infidelity, repeatedly interrogates the victim, searches for evidence, tests the victim’s fidelity, and sometimes stalks the victim.
20Misogynistic attitudes – perpetratorHating or having a strong prejudice against women.  This attitude can be overtly expressed with hate statements, or can be more subtle with beliefs that women are only good for domestic work or that all women are “whores.”
21Prior destruction or deprivation of victim’s propertyAny incident in which the perpetrator intended to damage any form of property that was owned, or partially owned, by the victim or formerly owned by the perpetrator. This could include slashing the tires of the car that the victim uses. It could also include breaking windows or throwing items at a place of residence. Please include any incident, regardless of charges being laid or those resulting in convictions.
22History of violence outside of the family by perpetratorAny actual or attempted assault on any person who is not, or has not been, in an intimate relationship with the perpetrator. This could include friends, acquaintances, or strangers. This incident did not have to necessarily result in charges or convictions and can be verified by any record (e.g., police reports; medical records) or witness e.g., family members; friends; neighbours; co-workers; counsellors; medical personnel, etc.).
23History of domestic violence - Previous partnersAny actual, attempted, or threatened abuse/maltreatment (physical; emotional; psychological; financial; sexual, etc.) toward a person who has been in an intimate relationship with the perpetrator. This incident did not have to necessarily result in charges or convictions and can be verified by any record (e.g., police reports; medical records) or witness (e.g., family members; friends; neighbours; co-workers; counsellors; medical personnel,etc.). It could be as simple as a neighbour hearing the perpetrator screaming at the victim or include a co-worker noticing bruises consistent with physical abuse on the victim while at work.
24History of domestic violence - Current partner/victimAny actual, attempted, or threatened abuse/maltreatment (physical; emotional; psychological; financial; sexual, etc.) toward a person who is in an intimate relationship with the perpetrator. This incident did not have to necessarily result in charges or convictions and can be verified by any record (e.g., police reports; medical records) or witness (e.g., family members; friends; neighbours; co-workers; counsellors; medical personnel, etc.). It could be as simple as a neighbour hearing the perpetrator screaming at the victim or include a co-worker noticing bruises consistent with physical abuse on the victim while at work.
25Prior threats to kill victimAny comment made to the victim, or others, that was intended to instill fear for the safety of the victim’s life. These comments could have been delivered verbally, in the form of a letter, or left on an answering machine. Threats can range in degree of explicitness from “I’m going to kill you” to “You’re going to pay for what you did” or “If I can’t have you, then nobody can” or “I’m going to get you.”
26Prior threats with a weaponAny incident in which the perpetrator threatened to use a weapon (e.g., gun; knife; etc.) or other object intended to be used as a weapon (e.g., bat, branch, garden tool, vehicle, etc.) for the purpose of instilling fear in the victim. This threat could have been explicit (e.g. “I’m going to shoot you” or “I’m going to run you over with my car”) or implicit (e.g., brandished a knife at the victim or commented “I bought a gun today”). Note: This item is separate from threats using body parts (e.g., raising a fist).
27Prior assault with a weaponAny actual or attempted assault on the victim in which a weapon (e.g., gun; knife; etc.), or other object intended to be used as a weapon (e.g.., bat, branch, garden tool, vehicle, etc.), was used. Note: This item is separate from violence inflicted using body parts (e.g., fists, feet, elbows, head, etc.).
28Prior attempts to isolate the victimAny non-physical behaviour, whether successful or not, that was intended to keep the victim from associating with others. The perpetrator could have used various psychological tactics (e.g., guilt trips) to discourage the victim from associating with family, friends, or other acquaintances in the community (e.g., “if you leave, then don’t even think about coming back” or “I never like it when your parents come over” or “I’m leaving if you invite your friends here”).
29Controlled most or all of victim’s daily activitiesAny actual or attempted behaviour on the part of the perpetrator, whether successful or not, intended to exert full power over the victim. For example, when the victim was allowed in public, the perpetrator made her account for where she was at all times and who she was with. Another example could include not allowing the victim to have control over any finances (e.g., giving her an allowance, not letting get a job, etc.).
30Prior hostage-taking and/or forcible confinementAny actual or attempted behaviour, whether successful or not, in which the perpetrator physically attempted to limit the mobility of the victim. For example, any incidents of forcible confinement (e.g., locking the victim in a room) or not allowing the victim to use the telephone (e.g., unplugging the phone when the victim attempted to use it). Attempts to withhold access to transportation should also be included (e.g., taking or hiding car keys). The perpetrator may have used violence (e.g., grabbing; hitting; etc.) to gain compliance or may have been passive (e.g., stood in the way of an exit).
31Prior forced sexual acts and/or assaults during sexAny actual, attempted, or threatened behaviour, whether successful or not, used to engage the victim in sexual acts (of whatever kind) against the victim’s will. Or any assault on the victim, of whatever kind (e.g., biting; scratching, punching, choking, etc.), during the course of any sexual act.
32Choked/strangled victim in pastAny attempt (separate from the incident leading to death) to strangle the victim. The perpetrator could have used various things to accomplish this task (e.g., hands, arms, rope, etc.). Note: Do not include attempts to smother the victim (e.g., suffocation with a pillow).
33Prior violence against family petsAny action directed toward a pet of the victim, or a former pet of the perpetrator, with the intention of causing distress to the victim or instilling fear in the victim. This could range in severity from killing the victim’s pet to abducting it or torturing it. Do not confuse this factor with correcting a pet for its undesirable behaviour.
34Prior assault on victim while pregnantAny actual or attempted form physical violence, ranging in severity from a push or slap to the face, to punching or kicking the victim in the stomach. The key difference with this item is that the victim was pregnant at the time of the assault and the perpetrator was aware of this fact.
35Escalation of violenceThe abuse/maltreatment (physical; psychological; emotional; sexual; etc.) inflicted upon the victim by the perpetrator was increasing in frequency and/or severity. For example, this can be evidenced by more regular trips for medical attention or include an increase in complaints of abuse to/by family, friends, or other acquaintances.
36Perpetrator threatened and/or harmed childrenAny actual, attempted, or threatened abuse/maltreatment (physical; emotional; psychological; financial; sexual; etc.) towards children in the family.  This incident did not have to necessarily result in charges or convictions and can be verified by any record (e.g., police reports; medical records) or witness (e.g., family; friends; neighbours; co-workers; counselors; medical personnel, etc.).
37Extreme minimization and/or denial of spousal assault history:At some point the perpetrator was confronted, either by the victim, a family member, friend, or other acquaintance, and the perpetrator displayed an unwillingness to end assaultive behaviour or enter/comply with any form of treatment (e.g., batterer intervention programs). Or the perpetrator denied many or all past assaults, denied personal responsibility for the assaults (i.e., blamed the victim), or denied the serious consequences of the assault e.g., she wasn’t really hurt).

Access

Access

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Access Definition
38Access to or possession of any firearmsThe perpetrator stored firearms in his place of residence, place of employment, or in some other nearby location (e.g., friend’s place of residence, or shooting gallery). Please include the perpetrator’s purchase of any firearm within the past year, regardless of the reason for purchase.
39After risk assessment, perpetrator had access to victimAfter a formal (e.g., performed by a forensic mental health professional before the court) or informal (e.g., performed by a victim services worker in a shelter) risk assessment was completed, the perpetrator still had access to the victim.

Victim's disposition

Victim's Disposition

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Victim's DispositionDefinition 
40Victim’s intuitive sense of fear of perpetratorThe victim is one that knows the perpetrator best and can accurately gauge his level of risk.  If the women discloses to anyone her fear of the perpetrator harming herself or her children, for example statements such as, “I fear for my life”, “I think he will hurt me”, “I need to protect my children”,  this is a definite indication of serious risk.
41Victim VulnerabilityA victim may be considered vulnerable due to problems and life circumstances which make reaching out for help more difficult. This may include: mental health issues and/or addictions, disability, language and/or cultural barriers (e.g., new immigrant or isolated cultural community), economic dependence, and living in rural or remote locations. Vulnerability may also be related to lifestyle choices that place victims at risk (e.g., sex trade worker or escort). Vulnerability is not defined by issues common to many people such as problems in self-esteem, youth, poverty or any one cultural group (e.g. Indigenous).