Jonathon Hunt reports on Keepmecurrent.com that a new domestic violence assessment tool, developed in Canada, the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment, or ODARA, is now being launched by the city police in Saco, Maine and the York County District Attorney’s Office.
Spousal Abuse
Aimed at predicting the likelihood of repeat performances by men charged with domestic violence, ODARA’s 13 questions cover the accused man’s history of violence and antisocial behavior … and the victim’s personal circumstances.
The Canadian provincial psychiatric hospital where it was developed, claims the thoroughly researched questionnaire is highly predictive, and useful for bail, sentencing, probation and parole.
Specific risk factors accounted for in the questionnaire include having a previous police record for assault, the record of prior sentences and violations of conditional release and having histories of violence outside the home, domestic assault during pregnancy and substance abuse. Details of the most recent assault that are surveyed include the presence of physical confinement, threats of harm and whether the victim reported fearing future attacks at time of the assault. The victim’s personal circumstances in terms of number of children, children from a prior relationship and barriers to support are also taken into consideration by ODARA.
See the rest of the article here.
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