The Rapid Risk of Violence Screen (RROVS): a Brief Violence Risk Screening Tool for People in a Community Behavioral...

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Health
• Forensic Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Community-based behavioral health settings serve diverse populations.
• Accurate identification of violence risk is crucial for client safety and resource allocation.
• Existing screening tools may require validation in specific service contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the predictive validity of the Rapid Risk of Violence Screen (RROVS) total score.
• To determine the association between RROVS scores and subsequent criminal justice involvement, specifically violent offenses.
• To assess the utility of the RROVS as a screening tool in community behavioral health services.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of client data from community-based behavioral health services.
• Correlation of Rapid Risk of Violence Screen (RROVS) total scores with criminal justice records.
• Statistical examination of the association between RROVS scores and violent offense convictions.

Main Results:

• A significant association was found between higher RROVS total scores and future criminal justice involvement.
• The RROVS demonstrated predictive validity for identifying individuals with a higher likelihood of violent offenses.
• The screening tool's results align with subsequent violent criminal justice outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The Rapid Risk of Violence Screen (RROVS) shows promise as a valid tool for initial violence risk screening in community behavioral health.
• RROVS can assist clinicians in prioritizing individuals for comprehensive violence risk assessments.
• Implementing RROVS may enhance early intervention strategies for violence prevention within behavioral health settings.