II. Domestic Violence Offenders

Assessment Issues:

Many factors need consideration when assessing domestic violence offenders: history of assaults, attitudes supportive of violence, and personality traits that may predispose the offender to violence, such as low self-control. Considering that domestic violence is so frequently part of a pattern and recidivism is likely, prior incidents are important to the assessment.

Staff can use assessment tools like the Level of Service Inventory-Revised to explore these areas as well as the social networks the offender engages in to see whether they may encourage violence. Staff also can use this and other information to explore whether there is a link between the battering and a substance abuse problem. Triggers Domestic violence offenders are particularly difficult to supervise because there are so many issues that can trigger a violent episode. In addition to large issues such as loss of employment or infidelity, everyday routine occurrences and simple mistakes can spark an outburst of violence from an offender who has an overwhelming need for control and domination. Staff should use contacts with the offender, the victim and other collateral contacts to assess the offender's readiness for change and risk of reoffending.