Risk assessment in intimate partner violence: A systematic review of contemporary approaches

Abstract

This article systematically reviews contemporary risk assessment approaches for intimate partner violence (IPV) through an analysis of 39 peer-reviewed studies published between 1990 and 2011. The review highlights the potential of violence risk assessment tools to guide interventions, improve safety planning, and inform judicial and clinical decision-making. Key findings include the modest predictive validity of these tools and the need for methodological improvements and diverse sample validation. The article evaluates both IPV-specific and general violence risk assessment measures, noting the challenges in comparing tools due to the heterogeneity of partner abusers and study limitations. Recommendations for research and clinical practice are provided based on a synthesis of the literature.