Persistence and Potential Lethality in Intimate Partner Violence: Evaluating the Concurrent and Predictive Validity...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Criminology
• Sociology

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) risk assessment is crucial for public safety and offender management.
• Existing tools may not fully capture the multifaceted nature of IPV risk, including potential lethality.
• Understanding potential racial and ethnic disparities in risk assessment is essential for equitable application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the concurrent and predictive validity of a dual risk assessment protocol for intimate partner violence (IPV).
• To integrate the Domestic Violence Screening Instrument-Revised (DVSI-R) with supplemental Danger Risk Assessment (DRA) items for lethality risk.
• To examine whether the combined protocol exhibits racial or ethnic disparities.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a sample of 4,665 male defendants accused of IPV with female victims.
• Employed a dual risk assessment protocol combining DVSI-R for persistence risk and DRA for lethality risk.
• Analyzed concurrent and predictive validity using felony charges, initial incarceration, and subsequent dangerous behavior as criteria.

Main Results:

• The dual risk assessment protocol demonstrated strong concurrent and predictive validity.
• The Danger Risk Assessment (DRA) score significantly correlated with felony charges, initial incarceration, and recidivism.
• Results indicated minimal predictive bias and no significant disparate impact across racial and ethnic groups.

Conclusions:

• The combined IPV risk assessment protocol effectively measures both persistence and potential lethality.
• Incorporating lethality risk items enhances the information provided by standard IPV assessments.
• The protocol appears to be a valid and equitable tool for risk management in IPV cases.