Safe Journey

Danger Assessment
Assessing the level of danger an abuse victim may face can very difficult, as each abuser's "hot buttons" and abuse tactics vary. Following is a checklist of sorts that has been developed to assist in identifying factors associated with an increased risk of homicide for men and women in violent relationships.

(Adapted from the Danger Assessment , John Hopkins University, School of Nursing, 2004)

1. Has the physical violence increased in severity or frequency over the past year?
2. Does he own a gun?
3. Have you left him after living together during the last year?
4. Is he unemployed?
5. Has he ever used a weapon against you or threatened you with a lethal weapon?
6. Does he threaten to kill you?
7. Has he avoided being arrested for domestic violence?
8. Do you have a child that is not his?
9. Has he ever forced you to have sex when you did not wish to do so?
10. Does he ever try to choke you?
11. Does he use illegal drugs? By drugs we mean "uppers" or amphetamines, speed, angel dust, cocaine, "crack", street drugs or mixtures.
12. Is he an alcoholic or problem drinker?
13. Does he control most or all of your daily activities?( For instance: does he 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?)
14. Is he violently and constantly jealous of you?
15. Have you ever been beaten by him while you were pregnant?
16. Does he threaten to harm your children?
17. Do you believe he is capable of killing you?
18. Does he follow or spy on you, leave threatening notes or messages, destroy your property, or call you when you don't want him too?
19. Do you believe he is capable of killing you?
20. Have you ever threatened or tried to commit suicide?