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Risk Assessment With Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: Investigating the Gap Between Research and Practice

NCJ Number
237367
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 17 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2011 Pages: 1286-1298
Author(s)
Lauren Bennett Cattaneo; Aliya R. Chapman
Date Published
October 2011
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article explores the gap between research and practice in risk assessment as it applies to intimate partner violence (IPV).
Abstract
In intimate partner violence (IPV) risk assessment, there is consensus that a large gap exists between research and practice. This exploratory study interviewed 13 practitioners working with IPV victims to generate ideas about the nature of this gap, and found that only 2 conducted standardized risk assessment. Others felt imposing structure might detract from the quality of their work. Results support the need for different techniques in different contexts; some adjust only speed of services according to their risk perception, whereas others use in-depth information to customize services. Perspectives appear particularly disparate regarding victim minimization of risk. Implications for future work are discussed. (Published Abstract)