Challenges in Risk Assessment with Rural Domestic Violence Victims: Implications for Practice

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Criminology

Background:

• Domestic violence (DV) disproportionately affects women in rural areas.
• Assessing risk for DV in rural settings presents unique challenges due to isolation and limited resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore violence against women (VAW) service providers' perspectives on risk factors and challenges in assessing DV risk in rural locations.
• To identify promising practices used by VAW service providers working with women experiencing DV in rural settings.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving interviews with 14 VAW service providers in rural locations.
• Interviews were coded and analyzed using a qualitative analysis computer program.

Main Results:

• Identified risk factors include geographic isolation, lack of transportation, limited community resources, cultural factors (firearms, poverty, lack of privacy).
• Challenges in risk assessment stem from systemic, organizational, and individual client-level barriers.
• Promising practices include interagency collaboration, public/professional education, and outreach programs.

Conclusions:

• Women experiencing DV in rural locations face increased vulnerability and complex risk assessment barriers.
• Future research and practice should focus on collaborative approaches and innovative risk management strategies for rural contexts.