Danger Assessment
(Assessment of Intimate Partner Violence )
Dr. Jacquelyn C. Campbell is a renowned nurse researcher and professor known for her
extensive work on intimate partner violence and its impact on women’s health. Her
development of the Danger Assessment was influenced by her observations and research into
the patterns of severe violence and homicide in intimate relationships.
Development and Purpose
● Inspiration from Real Cases: Dr. Campbell's work was significantly inspired by her
clinical experiences and research data highlighting the high risks associated with
severe IPV. She noticed a gap in tools that accurately predicted the risk of lethality in
abusive relationships.
● Focus on Risk Factors: The DA was developed to address this gap by identifying
specific risk factors associated with increased danger. It focuses on both the frequency
and severity of abuse, as well as factors like the abuser’s access to firearms and
threats of homicide.
● Research-Based: The DA is based on research involving interviews with survivors of
IPV and analysis of cases where lethal violence occurred. This empirical foundation
gives it a strong basis for predicting risk.
● Validation and Use: Since its development, the Danger Assessment has been
validated through research and widely adopted by professionals in various fields,
including law enforcement, social work, and healthcare. It has become a critical tool
in both assessing risk and developing safety plans for individuals at risk.
Impact and Importance
The DA's development reflects Dr. Campbell's commitment to improving safety and
providing evidence-based tools to help those at risk of severe violence. Her work has had a
substantial impact on the field, influencing both practice and policy in the area of intimate
partner violence.
The Danger Assessment's backstory illustrates the importance of translating research into
practical tools that can directly improve safety and outcomes for individuals experiencing
IPV.
While Dr. Campbell did not base the DA on individual cases, her work identified several key
risk factors associated with intimate partner violence:
● History of Violence: Recurrent patterns of violence and escalation in severity.
● Threats and Intimidation: Direct threats of harm or homicide by the partner.
● Access to Weapons: Presence of firearms or other dangerous weapons in the home.
● Jealousy and Control: High levels of controlling behaviour and jealousy.
The Danger Assessment synthesises these risk factors into a structured tool that helps
professionals evaluate the level of danger and develop appropriate safety plans.
Dr. Campbell’s approach was grounded in a comprehensive analysis of IPV data and survivor
experiences rather than specific case studies, which provided a broad and evidence-based
foundation for the DA.
Case: Demographics
Age- 49
Gender-Female
Ethnicity-Female
A woman named Sarah (a pseudonym) had been in an abusive relationship for several years.
Her partner, John, had a history of violent behavior, including multiple instances of physical
assault and threatening behavior. Sarah sought help from a domestic violence shelter after a
particularly violent incident.
Assessment:
● Danger Assessment Administration: The shelter’s counselor used the Danger
Assessment tool to evaluate Sarah’s situation. The DA includes questions about recent
threats, prior violence, the presence of firearms, and other risk factors.
● Key Findings:
○ Prior Violence: Sarah reported that John had previously assaulted her on
multiple occasions and that the violence had escalated over time.
○ Threats: John had recently threatened to kill Sarah if she tried to leave him.
○ Access to Weapons: Sarah mentioned that John owned several firearms,
which were kept in their home.
○ Jealousy and Control: John exhibited extreme jealousy and controlling
behaviour, including constant monitoring of Sarah’s movements and
communication.
Risk Assessment: The Danger Assessment indicated a high level of risk, particularly because
of the combination of escalating violence, direct threats of homicide, and access to firearms.
Based on these findings, the counsellor and Sarah developed a detailed safety plan.
Safety Plan:
● Immediate Safety Measures: Sarah was provided with emergency shelter and
advised to stay away from the home until it was safe.
● Legal Measures: The counsellor helped Sarah obtain a restraining order against John,
prohibiting him from contacting her or coming near her.
● Emergency Contacts: Sarah was given contacts for local law enforcement and
domestic violence advocacy groups to provide immediate assistance if needed.
● Long-Term Safety Planning: A plan was put in place for ongoing support, including
counselling and assistance with relocation if necessary.
Outcome
The Danger Assessment played a crucial role in identifying the high level of danger Sarah
faced and facilitated the implementation of immediate and effective safety measures. With
the help of the assessment and safety plan, Sarah was able to escape the abusive situation and
begin rebuilding her life with the support of the shelter and advocacy services.
Importance
This example illustrates how the Danger Assessment can be instrumental in identifying
high-risk situations and guiding the development of effective safety strategies. By providing a
structured evaluation of risk factors, the DA helps ensure that individuals receive the
appropriate support and interventions to protect their safety.