Domestic Violence Assessment Tools

The Danger Assessment

The free Danger Assessment helps determine the level of danger an abused person has of being killed by an intimate partner. There are two parts to the tool: 1) a calendar and 2) a 20-item scoring instrument. The calendar helps to assess the severity and frequency of abuse, and it helps raise the consciousness of the victim and reduce the denial and minimization of the abuse. The 20-item scoring instrument uses a weighted system to score yes/no responses to risk factors associated with intimate partner homicide. It is available in multiple languages and offers a separate assessment tool (the "DA-1) for immigrant women.

MOSAIC

Using a series of questions, each weighed by MOSAIC in relation to their importance, this free tool assesses how similar a situation is to other situations that have gotten worse. After creating a confidential account and answering the questions, a detailed report is compiled immediately and tells you how a situation compares to others like it, rating it on a scale of 1 to 10. MOSAIC has been used by U.S. Supreme Court police to assess threats against Justices, by the U.S. Capitol Police to assess threats against members of Congress and by police protecting governors of 11 states, though now its widest use is in assessing cases of domestic violence.

Adverse Childhood Experience Quiz

The ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) quiz helps you tally different types of abuse, neglect, and other hallmarks of a rough childhood. Research originally conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente in the mid-1990s found that the greater the number of ACEs the greater the risk for negative outcomes related to health, behavior and opportunity. If you score high when taking the quiz, you may want to read the article, "Because of the Adversity I Faced in Childhood, There's Nothing I Can't Do."

The Lethality Assessment Program (LAP)

Based on the research of Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell of Johns Hopkins University, the LAP was created by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV). The LAP is intended to be used by first responders and domestic violence professionals such as advocates, to assess if the survivor is in danger, and if so, how much danger the survivor is in. The LAP is a series of 11 questions and an assessment, followed by a procedure of connecting survivors with resources. The Center for Disease Control identified the LAP as a "supported intervention" for domestic violence, while it's called a "leading promising practice" by the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW). 

Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment

ODARA is an actuarial risk assessment designed to be used by professionals that calculates how a man who has assaulted his female partner ranks among similar perpetrators with respect to the likelihood that he will assault a female partner again in the future. Each of the 13 items on the test is scored 0 or 1. The total score is simply the sum of the items and an outcome that predicts on a percentage basis the likelihood of assault that comes to the attention of police.

Stalking and Harassment Assessment and Risk Profile (SHARP)

SHARP is a 15-minute online assessment that is free and confidential. Within about a minute of completing the assessment, participants receive a narrative summarizing their situation and steps they may want to consider to improve their safety. SHARP is useful for both victims of stalking and professionals assisting victims. It is consistent with general legal components of stalking statutes and was developed collaboratively with professionals in the field as well as victims, including attorneys, victim advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement, and organizations such as the Battered Women’s Justice Project and the Stalking Resource Center.

SOS Conjugale Interactive Questionnaire

Twenty-five questions to identify if different forms of intimate partner violence are present in your relationship with your partner or ex-partner. This free online tool is designed to 1) explore your situation objectively 2) put words on your reality 3) help someone take a step back.  The tool was created for people living in Quebec, however it is useful no matter where you live and you can find nearby help here.

Compensation Compass

As a survivor of domestic violence, you could be eligible for money to cover some of the costs of the harm you experienced. This tool is designed to help you understand your options and how to pursue them.  You'll answer a few short questions to better understand your priorities before you're given a list of compensation options you may want to pursue.