International review of the literature on risk assessment and management of domestic violence and abuse

Abstract

Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) risk assessment and management processes are a critical part of the response to such violence because they help direct criminal justice system and policing resources effectively; ensure perpetrators are held accountable; as well as protect victims and prevent future victimisation, including intimate partner homicide. International strategies to address DVA and reduce homicide risk include the introduction of standardised risk assessment and management tools, currently utilised in many states. This chapter presents a comprehensive review of the available international literature regarding the design, implementation and evaluation of risk assessment and management tools, locating this review in an evidence base concerning international best practice. It argues for the critical inclusion of a victim-centred approach, inclusive of gender and intersectionality aspects, in addition to an assessment of coercive control in risk assessment instruments, to promote their predictive validity and effectiveness. While grounded largely in a criminal justice context, the main body of the work in the chapter may be of interest and relevance to broad practice and professional contexts.