Web resource:	http://www.floridabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNJournal01.nsf/76d28aa8f2ee03e185256aa9005d8d9a/a064c543ab7e7d3785256e43004fcb02?OpenDocument
Type:	Journal Article
Title:	A lawyer's guide to assessing dangerousness for domestic violence
Other Titles:	The Florida Bar Journal
Authors:	Lazarus, Lauren Karan, Amy
Keywords:	Post-separation violence;Homicide;Prevention;Legal issues
Year:	2004
Publisher:	The Florida Bar Journal
Citation:	78 (55), March 2004
Notes:	Advocates that lawyers in the US have a responsibility to play a proactive role in preventing violence to their clients and also to be aware of the factors that make such violence and resulting harm more likely. Cites some of the statistics on intimate partner violence as an example: 1300 women are killed in US annually by their partners – femicide is the 7th leading cause of preventative death for women in the US; it is the most common cause of death for African American women aged 15-54; it accounts for 20% of all homicides; 67%-80% of victims have been battered previously by their partners. Argues that lives can be saved where femicide is categorised as criminal and not a civil family matter and a coordinated response follows. Also argues that lawyers see potential victims in many aspects of their work, e.g. divorce and related matters and juvenile dependency and delinquency matters. Outlines potential routine questions that lawyer can ask clients when determining whether potential for harm under the following categories: * Mental Health Issues (suicidal; homicidal; history of psychiatric problems; depression; increase in life stressors); * Feelings About Relationship (obssessiveness about partner or family; extreme jealousy; access to victim; rage or depression over separation); * History of Domestic Violence (history of assaults, history of stalking, substance abuse); and, * Severity of Violence (use of weapons, unwanted sexual contact, strangulation, hurting pets, severe injury). While one of the above alone may not seem unusual, when there is more than one factor evident it is of concern. Other factors to be taken into account include that the most dangerous period is just after or before separation; the presence of a stepchild in the household; holding antiquated or old-fashioned views; and unemployment. States as a surprising fact that women who purchase guns are 2 times more likely to be victims of femicide and that women are not always best able to assess their own risk of harm (50% of those that have had an attempt on their lives did not realise the extent of the danger they were in). Concludes that someone nevertheless nearly always knows that the women is at risk and therefore lawyers must take measures to protect them if they think someone is at risk.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/13108
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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