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Fernando Mederos, Denise Gamache, and Ellen Pence
Publication Date: Not Available
There is a broad social consensus that domestic violence is a deep-rooted problem that must be addressed through a coordinated effort by many social institutions. Without a systemic response it is impossible to provide safety for victims and hold batterers responsible for their conduct. Institutions such as the judicial system (including prosecutors, judges and probation), the police, mental health providers, the medical system, child protective agencies, treatment/intervention programs for men who batter and battered women's shelters have participated in the struggle against domestic violence. Among the many measures that have resulted from these efforts are restraining orders, pro-arrest or mandatory arrest policies for suspected offenders, mandatory batterer treatment for offenders on probation, specialized domestic violence units in district attorneys' offices and an array of protective and supportive services for victims of domestic violence in medical, mental health and child welfare settings.
Currently, the establishment of mandatory or pro-arrest policies for assailants means that many more offenders are being arrested and convicted of domestic assault. In most jurisdictions, convicted offenders are seldom given straight jail time; most are placed on probation. This sequence of events places probation departments in the forefront of the struggle against domestic violence.
This massive challenge arises at a time of reduced resources, with fewer probation officers available to cope with ever-expanding caseloads. As a result, the risk is that this growing category of offenders will be lost in the flood of probationers that are already overwhelming the system. There are two obvious drawbacks to this outcome. If batterers on probation are not given specialized attention, the rate of recidivism will be very high. Eventually more batterers will cycle repeatedly through the judicial system, thereby adding to the overwhelming caseloads that already burden probation officers. Another drawback is even more serious. If not given special attention, most batterers will continue terrorizing their families; in addition, some batterers on probation will seriously injure or kill their spouses or children. While there is no set of probationary measures that can prevent these outcomes with certainty, the absence of specialized management measures for domestic violence cases guarantees the continuation of domestic abuse for families, and the exposure of probation officers to public criticism or litigation. Fortunately, there are measures that can be used by probation officers to monitor batterers and intervene more effectively for the safety of battered women.
Typically, institutions that participate in a coordinated institutional effort against domestic violence discover that they must revise their procedures to maximize their effectiveness in this area. This involves developing a new vision of the dynamics of domestic abuse and, based on this new vision, implementing concrete changes in policies, procedures and deployment of resources. This is a two-way street. As probation departments change, they may require modified responses by police departments, batterer treatment programs and mental health agencies.
There are three core beliefs about domestic violence and batterers that must be examined and challenged in order to intervene more effectively in these cases.
In reality, women's decisions in these cases are influenced by a range of interacting factors. The victim of domestic violence may endanger her life by talking to police or court officials and feel a pervasive sense of fear. Her religious or moral beliefs about relationships may inhibit her from taking actions which she views as breaking up her marriage. She may feel guilty about her role in conflicts in the relationship. She may be influenced by her economic dependence on her partner and worry about her ability to support her children should they separate. She may fear losing her children in a custody struggle or because the abuser has threatened to kidnap them if she leaves him. As a result, she may appear highly inhibited, act fearful without obvious provocation, feel paralyzed at times, distrustful at other times, etc. Her "lack of cooperation" should not be taken as an indicator that nothing really happened; instead there is a need for skillful intervention and support. When victims encounter supportive, understanding professionals who are willing to take the time to listen to painful stories, they are much more likely to use the resources of the judicial system.
It is critical to remember that battered women have difficulty with prosecution for many reasons. Experience has shown that battered women are much more likely to cooperate with courts when they encounter a supportive atmosphere which includes aggressive enforcement of restraining orders, prompt arrest of offenders who commit assaults or violate protective orders, prosecution strategies that don't depend solely on the victim's statements, and strict probation conditions for perpetrators.
At the same time, using the judicial system is dangerous in some cases, regardless of how expert the judicial response. Batterers have easy access to their victims and their families: they know where their children go to school, where her family lives, where she works or studies, who her friends are; so it is very difficult to cover all areas of exposure. Imagine the offender is obsessed with his victim, stalks her and has threatened her repeatedly-- that he is someone who will not stop unless he is behind bars. In such extremes the judicial system may not be very useful. Women who are in such lethal situations cannot risk even the brief delays that are built into the judicial response in most jurisdictions. For this reason, it is important to understand that the judicial system will not be everybody's route to safety. No matter how well the system works, it cannot guarantee a victim's safety. This can be very difficult for court personnel to accept as the urge to solve the problem through court action may be quite strong. In response to the victim's situation, a probation officer may be overtaken by the urge to "rescue" the victim . Yet people can have very good reasons for not using the judicial system, no matter how comprehensive and professional an officer's efforts. Battered women's shelters, which have been involved in this area for many years, are well acquainted with this type of case.
Probation officers need to hold batterers accountable regardless of their demeanor or lack of criminal history. To do otherwise is to leave openings for manipulation. Officers need to be very clear about the fact that there is no justification for the use of violence in relationships. It should not make a difference if the woman drinks, uses drugs, is a poor mother, etc.; no one should have to earn the right to be free from violence. One can respond to problems in different ways.
Finally, institutions such as probation departments and child protection agencies must consider that intervention in domestic violence cases will eventually call for some redeployment of resources. Typically, line workers in both types of agencies have large caseloads. Their work style tends to stress quick resolution of cases, with clients safely ensconced in treatment programs, training programs or jobs. The goal is to stabilize the situation rapidly in a way that calls for as little ongoing monitoring as possible. In the case of probation, decisions about intensity of monitoring are usually based on the offender's previous criminal record and on the nature of the offense for which the offender happens to be on probation. These operational guidelines are reasonable and efficient with typical offenders.
However, the situation is different with men who batter. Many of these men do not have criminal records. In fact, some may fit the profile of offenders who are good risks-- no record, solid employment and well-respected in the community. The judicial system is not disposed to view these offenders as dangerous, and they may readily be placed in the pool of those who will receive low intensity monitoring. Experience has shown that this is a mistake. Batterers on probation require medium to high intensity monitoring and longer probationary periods. Longer probationary periods for batterers have been adopted because of the growing realization that many men who batter are highly chronic, long term offenders who feel entitled to behave as they do. They have continuing access to their victims and many ways to coerce them short of violent assaults. The longer the judicial system is involved with these offenders, the greater is the opportunity to consistently pressure this highly chronic group of offenders to change their behavior, thus providing increased safety for spouses and children.
In addition to extended probationary periods and high intensity monitoring, probation departments have responded to the special characteristics of batterers with a range of measures: specialized domestic violence units that track batterers closely and are expert in communicating with and supporting victims; extending probation and adding charges after violations of probation that endanger victims; short sentences for probation violators (e.g. an offender who violates probation serves one month of his 6 month sentence-- when he comes out he still has 2 years of probation with mandatory treatment and a 4 month sentence to serve if he lapses again.)
We are still in the process of developing more effective measures, and many of these improvements call for reallocation of resources and modifications of procedures. However, these strategies offer enhancements for victims' safety and lowered recidivism for offenders.
The following sections contain information sheets on several issues relating to men who batter, battered women, and assessment and intervention issues for probation. Wherever suggestions are provided for measures to take with offenders the intention is to give a menu of interventions that might be helpful. Different solutions will fit different jurisdictions.
Interview men and women separately. Victims of domestic violence cannot talk freely when abusers are present. By talking to the women separately, you lessen the risk of retaliation and promote more disclosure.
Have clear rules about confidentiality and disclosure. Fearing retaliation, many women protect themselves by not sharing information that they know will be disclosed in court or elsewhere. If your policy is that you will disclose certain types of information in court even if she wants this to be kept confidential (e.g. if she tells about a felonious assault, child abuse, etc.), make sure she knows this beforehand. This could be a lifesaving measure on your part. Also, being straight about this will help establish trust.
Do not tell the offender anything the victim has told you unless you're completely sure that it will not endanger her further. Even if she gives you permission to share what she has told you, make your own assessment about safety and the risk of retaliation.
Assess the history of violence in the relationship. Conduct a pre-trial or post-trial assessment according to the policies in your jurisdiction. How severe and persistent has the violence been? How has it affected the victim and the children? Is there a heightened danger of lethal assault? Is it important to warn the victim? See the section on Dangerousness-Lethality Checklist and the Questionnaire for Victims.
Assess the risk of retaliation and of continued harassment/abuse. How safe will the victim and the children be? Is it reasonable to expect the offender to restrain himself? Has he respected previous restraining/protective orders? Has he made-- and broken-- many promises? If you think your best efforts, including highly restrictive monitoring of the offender, are not likely to turn out well because the offender is so dangerous and uncontrollable, share this information with the victim. Though this may make her anxious, it may influence her to activate all her self-protective resources.
Assess the impact of substance abuse. Determine whether the offender is abusing drugs or alcohol. You may recommend an independent evaluation, drug/alcohol testing, question the spouse and consult the court and police arrest records on this matter.
Develop a probation plan for the offender. What rules should be imposed on him by probation to keep him from further harming his spouse and/or children? Probation officers must make decisions about levels of control and the intrusiveness of the conditions of probation. See " Managing Offenders on Probation" for specific measures. The plan may also include drug/alcohol evaluations, testing and treatment; attending a batterer treatment program.
Become knowledgeable about resources for battered women. Victims of domestic violence need specialized services which can address their need for support, understanding, safety planning (while they remain at risk), safety and refuge (even help in fleeing an offender), financial resources, housing, and help for their children. Battered women's shelters and programs usually have the required array of services and the specialized experience with safety issues.
These are some issues to keep in mind as you work with physically abusive men.
This is highly chronic group of offenders. Officers should expect high levels of recidivism in this group. We expect 75 percent of men who are on probation will assault their partners, violate restraining/protective orders or otherwise violate terms of probation. With such a chronic problem, officers should not anticipate quick cures; it takes years to change deeply-rooted behaviors. Although many men can stop being violent fairly quickly while they are in treatment, lasting change takes time.
Offenders are likely to have continuing access to victims. Putting aside the victim's conflicted feelings, the offender knows where she works, where she and her parents live and he may have access to the victim through child visitation. There are multiple opportunities for intimidation, threats and psychological pressure. It is very important to monitor the offender very closely and limit access to the spouse or girlfriend.
A large number of offenders are alcohol and/or drug abusers. Although intoxication due to alcohol or drug use does not cause violence, offenders are prone to become more severely violent and more frequently violent under the influence. It is important to establish sobriety immediately; alcohol or drug abuse treatment should be ordered prior to or concurrent with participation in a batterer treatment program. Otherwise, recidivism is inevitable.
Many domestic offenders have criminal records; many do not. In customary criminal justice practice, perpetrators with more extensive criminal records receive more intensive and intrusive monitoring; yet many of the most harmful and lethal offenders have no criminal records. We advise officers to examine closely the history of violence in the relationship and to be sensitive to threats, and other behaviors that suggest heightened dangerousness (see the Dangerousness-Lethality Assessment).
Men who batter are convinced they are victims. Although most convicted perpetrators of crime feel they are victims, batterers are particularly insistent about their victimization. Historically men who batter were protected by traditions of privacy and the sanctity of marriage and the family; to prosecute a wife beater constituted an invasion of privacy and an assault on the family. Social values have changed and we are now in the process of creating and enforcing a new taboo about behavior in marital relationships. Nevertheless, abusive men express a sense of intrusion and injustice, and feel that they have had something taken away or that their rights have been abridged.
Many men who batter are persuasive and logical. People expect offenders to be inarticulate and conspicuously unreasonable. Instead, the abuser often is a very reasonable, persuasive character, who wants someone to understand him, to take him at face value. It is always important to go back to police reports, to read court documents such as medical reports and to talk to the victims separately.
Tell the offender he has already been found guilty; invite him to request another hearing with the Judge. Get a detailed account of the scope of the violence by conducting partner contact interview (see copy in your packet) and by using police reports and hospital records.
Point out the effects of violence: terror, fear, distrust, pain, injury, destruction, etc. Even if his intentions are good violence is not justified and it is illegal. Good intentions do not justify violence.
A woman doesn't have to be Betty Crocker (a perfect mother or housewife) in order to deserve not to be beaten. People do not have to earn the right to be free from violence and fear: the act itself is illegal, just like bank robbery is illegal even if you're very poor or even if the bank cheated you on the mortgage.
If you're convinced you have no control, then we should surrender you now since treatment will be totally useless. Do you get violent the same way whenever someone gets you really upset? With your boss? Getting violent with someone is not an automatic thing once you get upset.
No one can make you violent; people can hurt you, frustrate you, anger you, etc., but there are many alternative ways of responding to things that don't involve violence.
Most batterers' programs have sliding scale fees; the man must make time for treatment. Finally, it is critical to communicate frequently with the batterer treatment program and the spouse to avoid enormous confusion and manipulation.
Offenders will try to "divide and conquer"; they will run a disinformation campaign. Men who batter are expert at finding divisions between people and exploiting them. They also tell different versions of the facts to different people. Make sure all staff are consistent about the rules. It is important to be in constant communication with the batterers' program, the man's partner and the women's advocate or victim witness representative.
Expect the offender to continue denying his behavior and blaming his spouse. Most offenders take months or longer to admit responsibility for their behavior. Instead, they spend much energy trying to enlist a Probation Officer as an ally.
Many offenders attempt to get probation officers to back off by being constantly angry and challenging. Many men come across as justifiably angry. They tell you their partners are crazy; they launch into long accusatory harangues about their spouses, citing example after example of the wrongs "she" has done. Faced with constant "righteous" anger, you may find yourself shifting the discussion toward less volatile ground and listening out of polite sympathy. We advise you to structure conversations carefully and to sharply limit complaints about victims. If he manages to shift the focus onto her behavior, he successfully manipulates your attention from him.
Other offenders attempt to get probation officers to back off by being super-placating. This offender gives the impression of being in complete control. He wants to do everything possible to "clear up this misunderstanding"; he may even suggest he seek help with his wife. If you take calm denials at face value, then you assume the role of judge, requiring that the victim prove she has been abused-- a highly dangerous enterprise for a battered woman. Remember that many abusive men are reasonable and charming with everyone except their spouses. Being logical and calm in your office does not establish innocence.
Intimidating offenders will try to wear you down; super-placating offenders will try to enlist you as an ally: BOTH will try to get you to do as little monitoring as possible. This will give the offender room to pressure his partner, ease his way back into the house, convince her that the court is not serious, etc. We advise you to make decisions about intrusiveness and frequency of monitoring based on your assessment of his dangerousness (derived from information from the spouse, police reports, the criminal record, etc.).
Offenders may try to draw you into arguments about their culpability. We recommend that Officers not engage in such arguments; if there are legitimate questions about the offender's abusiveness, the batterer treatment program can help with an evaluation.
Do not tell the man anything the woman has told you unless you're completely sure that it will not endanger her further. Question each person separately; do not divulge something that may endanger her. Even if she gives you permission to share what she has told you, make your own assessment about safety.
State rules in an impersonal fashion; focus on options and consequences. Men who batter often love arguments and dominance struggles. You can say, "I can't argue with you about your probation or about being sent to a batterer treatment program. If you do not go, I will have to report it and schedule a surrender hearing. I can't change that."
Are there some men you might be unwilling to send to jail? Are there offenders you don't really consider dangerous? All of us have some blind spots. To act fairly and nondiscriminately we need to examine our biases.
Men who are good talkers. You may be weary of hostile, angry types and find yourself being lenient with someone who is well-spoken, persuasive and logical. Make sure you consult court and police records and talk to the victim separately. Consistent monitoring/follow up procedures will ensure that no offender gets a free ride, even if he has a different approach.
Highly educated men who are rationalizers and endless arguers. Educated rationalizers can wear you out. You may find yourself avoiding them, scheduling fewer visits, and questioning them less in meetings. Many probation officers simply refuse to argue or listen to arguments ("That's not what we're here for. If you insist on arguing, I consider this disruptive behavior and will bring it to the judge.")
Men who appear more helpless, vulnerable or physically fragile. Because someone does not come across as physically imposing does not mean that they are not dangerous or unable to terrify their spouse. Offenders do not behave the same way with everybody; overly compliant behavior with an authority figure such as a Probation Officer can change drastically with someone whom the offender believes should listen to him . Consistent monitoring and follow up procedures are the best way to manage this type of offender.
Men who are highly religious. Men who have undergone a religious conversion or who cite their religious beliefs as the source of their assaultive behavior should not be monitored less carefully or held to different standards of non-abusive behavior. The law should be applied equally to all offenders, regardless of religious affiliation. Sincere religious belief can be very impressive, but such convictions should never be used to justify abuse.
Men who are mentally ill. Probation officers are sometimes reluctant to schedule a surrender and recommend time in jail for men who are mentally ill--it may be hard to imagine how some guys could survive 'inside.' Men who weep, who have had breakdowns, who take medication, etc., can be as dangerous and harmful as their "tougher" peers. They should be held to the same standards of non-abusive behavior toward victims while on probation.
Men who identify with a non-dominant culture. Some men claim their culture delegates women to a subordinate role, and that the use of violence is permitted to keep women in line. They accuse the legal system of attempting to destroy their culture or of enforcing laws against domestic violence in a racist manner in their community. Under the law the same standards of behavior apply to everybody. When possible, such men should be referred to culturally appropriate programs which can challenge woman abuse from within the man's own cultural perspective. When not available, then refer to programs which have demonstrated cross-cultural effectiveness.
Men who are in recovery. It may be tempting to be specially understanding with men who are making an apparently successful recovery from an addiction. However, many people go through recovery without becoming physically abusive. Again, behavioral standards about partners' safety and other conditions of probation should be applied consistently.
Men whose spouses are particularly difficult-- loud, emotional, etc. People often have a hard time believing and supporting someone who seems to get upset too easily or is too demanding. This may be very difficult, but (to state the obvious) all victims deserve protection.
Many studies indicate that battered women are like women in general. In terms of socioeconomic background, race, education, mental health, substance abuse, etc., battered women do not differ from women in general. They are also not any more co-dependent or enabling than anybody else in the population.
Be careful of your biases about the perfect victim or "the Betty Crocker syndrome." Even if she drinks, yells, is a poor mother or attempts to assault the man, a woman deserves protection. Women do not have to be ideal wives, mothers or housewives in order to be protected legally.
Confidentiality is a critical safety issue. Make sure she understands if there any limits to confidentiality-- if you have to report whatever she tells you. A disclosure of confidential information by you could make her subject to retaliation and could destroy trust. If she tells you about other acts of violence, about assaults on children, even about probation violations-- do you have to report these disclosures? Let her know about your constraints or responsibilities to report information ahead of time.
Cases will reach you after many years of physical abuse and women will have worked out survival strategies. Most battered women never seek help; they resolve the issue on their own by leaving or getting the guy to stop. Those who come to your attention usually have the most dangerous batterers. Their survival strategies, from hitting back to keeping quiet and going along, are not going to change immediately. Undoing what "we" may consider humiliating or risky survival strategies can only happen slowly.
Unlike victims of random violence, many battered women have emotional and family bonds with their attackers. It usually takes 5-7 years to resolve the situation by leaving or getting the man to stop. Most battered women do not want to be rescued; they want effective and quick intervention to stop the violence and keep him from doing it again. If you try to rescue her by telling her what to do, you're competing with the batterer, who is very expert at ordering her around.
The long term effects of violence are complex. Someone once said that violence causes terror, which turns to fear, which becomes caution, which turns into deference and attention, and then becomes tip-toeing and caretaking. Physical abuse is usually accompanied by tremendous psychological abuse, which destroys self-esteem and self-confidence, causing enormous confusion and even mental paralysis.
Be aware that all the things we want the battered woman to do will increase her danger. The most dangerous time for a battered woman is when she testifies against the man, when she is leaving him or after she has left him. He may have threatened her again and again about leaving him. Actions that you think are reasonable may be deadly for her; keeping quiet may make more sense to her.
Avoid pressure to ally with the violator. Consistently communicate that wife beating is abusive and criminal behavior.
Surrender is always possible. Inform offenders of the possibility of revocation; probation is a privilege. Request surrender when violation of probation occurs.
Men who batter are constantly looking for loopholes-- they consider themselves victims. Develop an intrusive and intense supervision plan. Make unannounced calls or visits.
Long term group counseling is recommended. Individual psychotherapy and family or couples' (marriage) counseling are not advised. If available, the offender is mandated to a batterer treatment program that holds abusive men responsible for changing violent behavior.
Efficient, frequent and brief communication should be provided, including an initial assessment report, monthly progress reports, incident reports, and a termination report.
The man should use treatment productively; the treatment program should not "babysit." The offender should remain non-violent with no threats or intimation of the partner. The offender should not be disruptive and should comply with program requirements.
Conduct regular partner contacts to assess dangerousness, fear and risk of retaliation. Warn her about dangerousness if this is appropriate. Refer her to specialized resources (shelter, support groups for battered women)
If you don't close loopholes, perpetrators will use them. If a restraining order is in effect, support the victim's efforts to have it enforced if the offender should violate conditions to stay away from her or her children, pay child support, follow supervised visitation rules, etc. Check that the offender has completed other conditions such as: surrendering firearms/weapons, attending batterer treatment program and participating constructively; attending alcohol and/or drug abuse program; staying clean and sober; attending AA or NA; or complying with drug/alcohol testing.
If the perpetrator violates probation, the system should attempt to hang on to him until he has 1 or 2 violence-free years. Option include: having the offender serve part of sentence, so he is released with time pending; repeating the batterer treatment program after his release; extending probation after release.
It is important to assess the dangerousness and lethality potential of men who batter their partners. This involves evaluating the potential for harm by considering both the capacity to inflict damaging or painful injuries (dangerousness) and the likelihood of inflicting deadly injury (lethality). Both of these elements are included because they are often hard to distinguish in practice and because dangerousness-- the likelihood that a battered woman may be beaten again-- should be sufficient reason for energetic and intense monitoring and careful safety planning.
Please note that a partner's (or spouse's) accounts of physical abuse are usually the most reliable and accurate source of information about the perpetrator's level of violence. It is important to have a careful procedure for obtaining this type of information: The partner may have to work through much coercion and fear in order to speak out. Keep in mind that by disclosing previously secret information, she is usually incurring a serious risk of retaliation (batterers often retaliate severely even for minor disclosures). For that reason it is essential to be a supportive interviewer and to avoid disclosing the data unless the risk of retaliation has been discussed and good safety planning has taken place. The police report and other court documents as well as medical reports are often useful sources of information. The perpetrator is the least reliable source of information. He has much to lose by disclosure.
Why is this type of assessment important?
Remember that men who batter are a diverse population; they resemble the general population of men very closely and are not an easily identifiable subgroup. Many of the offenders who first pass through the courts after the initiation of mandatory arrest policies for violations of restraining orders have criminal records and a history of substance abuse. These are people who are more likely to disturb the peace in semi-public settings, but batterers in general are no more likely to have criminal records or problems with substances than the general population. The presently available research seems to indicate that half of these men do not have serious psychopathology. The other half have characteristics that suggest varying levels of severity of personality disorders. Lethality potential seems to be more typical of those who have the most severe psychopathology, but the research findings are not conclusive. Though relatively few offenders are potentially lethal or highly dangerous, it is important to take this possibility seriously.
Although all offenders are potentially lethal, clinical experience leads us to believe that there are some who are more likely to be highly dangerous or lethal. The "typical" batterer blames his partner and attempts to excuse or deny his behavior, but he has some empathy for his spouse and can eventually admit some violent assaults. On the other hand, if the offender fits one of the three profiles below, there is more cause for concern. Key characteristics of each type of offender are highlighted to facilitate learning of each profile.
Two tools are attached to assist a probation officer in making an assessment of the danger or lethality in a given situation and forming recommendations regarding the level of monitoring that would be appropriate.
Both of these tools are organized around seven areas that you should consider when assessing potential lethality/dangerousness.
In addition, please note the following:
After you have completed the DANGEROUSNESS/LETHALITY CHECKLIST, you can use the attached SEVERITY OF VIOLENCE MATRIX to help you decide on the appropriate level of monitoring. The matrix places specific examples of violent behaviors in a continuum of increasing dangerousness and risk. It is intended to help you organize and think about this information in a meaningful way. Once the case information has been organized, the probation officer can place the offender's violence within this continuum.
This approach focuses the court's attention on the history and pattern of violence, rather than on other socioeconomic factors which may not relate to the level of dangerousness or lethality. Recommendations regarding the level of court-ordered supervision are increased accordingly. Offenders who have patterns of abusive acts that fall in the 'Severe Risk' and 'Acute and Severe Risk' levels for 2 or 3 of the categories should receive intensive monitoring/supervision. This is especially warranted if potential triggering events have been identified, such as an imminent separation or a wife's filing for divorce.
Methods for intensive monitoring and supervision vary by jurisdiction. Each probation office should develop guidelines for sentencing recommendations that increase the level of monitoring and impose other conditions consistent with the assessed level of dangerousness. Appendix A includes an example of a matrix in use by the probation office in Duluth, MN. It is used in making recommendations about conditions of release and the sentencing of misdemeanor domestic crimes. Currently, probation officers are using these risk levels to develop their recommendations to the court, within legislated limits, regarding jail time, length of probation, frequency of contact with probation officer, fines, and completion of batterers' rehabilitation programming. Probation officers are urged to include recommendations that address three factors: offender accountability, victim safety, and offender rehabilitation.
(After an explanation of the relevant confidentiality guidelines and mandatory reporting laws has been provided, introduce the questionnaire: "The following questions are designed to help assess the dangerousness of the situation. Answering these questions can help both you and the court decide what safety measures should be put in place to help protect you and may be helpful in providing rehabilitation for the offender.")
What is the worst level of injury that you have experienced? Please describe what happened and when it happened? (Include approx. date, description and medical treatment)
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Given the incident you've described, on the following scale, the worst level of injury that you have experienced would be rated as: (Check only one)
__Acute & Severe: life-threatening injury, losing consciousness, hitting abdomen during pregnancy, deep cuts; injury requiring hospitalization or extended medical care).
__Severe (cuts, lacerations, severe bruises, pain in joints).
__Serious (bruises, soreness, very shallow cuts, sprains).&9;&9;
What is the worst level of injury that the children have experienced? (Check only the worst level.)
___Acute & Severe
Severe
___Serious violence.
What happened? (Include approx. date, description and medical treatment)
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Has a child abuse report been filed with the Department of Social Services? Does it have to do with something he did?
Please explain.
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Does he have any weapons? ______________________________________________________________
Has he ever threatened you with them? ______________________________________________________________
Has he ever used weapons on you or anybody else? ______________________________________________________________
If he doesn't have one, is he likely to get a weapon easily or has he threatened to do so?_________________
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Does he have martial arts training (including boxing)?____________________________________________
Has he ever threatened you with it? Explain.___________________________________________________
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Has he ever used it on you or anybody else?___________________________________________________
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Has he done any of the following to you or the children?
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| Yes | No | How Often? | Yes | No | How Often? | |
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Has he ever threatened:_____________________________________________________________
To kill or hurt you? How?___________________________________________________________
When did he threaten you last?
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To kill or hurt others? How?___________________________________________________________________________
When was the most recent threat?
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To kill or hurt himself? How?___________________________________________________________________________________
When was the last time he said this? __________________________________________________________________________
Has he made vague threats such as "You'll never leave me" or "You'll never get away from me,"etc. Please list these threats and give an idea of their dates.
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Has he been violent toward other people? _______________________________________________________________________
Please describe incidents of violence toward others. (Include approx. date, number of victims, circumstances and detailed description of violence.) Please include all the incidents you know about.
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Does he check up on you often?_____________________________________________________________________________
Does he call the house to speak to you very often?_____________________________________________________________
Has he prevented or forbidden you from going out?_______________________________________________________________
Does he lock you up or take away the car keys?_____________________________________________________________
Has he isolated you in any other ways?___________________________________________________________________________________
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Is your partner jealous?_____________________________________________________
Does he get very upset if you talk to other men?____________________________________________________
Does he accuse you often of having affairs?_____________________________________________________
Does he check your clothes or your body to see if you had sex with someone else?Examples of other jealous behaviors.
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Does he follow you, go to your workplace or the children's school or daycare to check on you?
Please describe in detail:________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Has he ever followed you while on a restraining order?________________________________________
Has he ever found you after you moved away or went to a battered women's shelter?________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Has he ever said things like: If I can't have you, no one will? It's no use living without you? If you leave
me I'll kill myself? When/how often?___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Has he ever heard voices telling him to hurt you or the children? Or said God or Satan told him to hurt you or the children? When?______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you think he is obsessed about you? Please explain
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Has your partner ever coerced or forced you to have sex?______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Has your partner forced you to have sex in ways you didn't want to or when you didn't want to?
____________________________________________________________________________________
Has you partner ever threatened to sexually abuse the children or actually abused them?______________
____________________________________________________________________________________
How much does he drink?____________________
How often does he use drugs? _______________
Does he change when he's drunk or high? How?_________________________________________________________________
Has he ever been violent while drunk or high? If previously sober, has he started to drink again? Or use drugs?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Has he threatedened you with violence related to the following issues: (Circle items)
Leaving him
Seeing other men
Separation
Divorce
Child custody
Hurting your children
Your family
Money
Wanting you back
Reporting you to DSS
Reporting you to Welfare
Your increasing independence:
Getting a job?
A better job?
Going to school?
Has something happened recently in relation to any of the circled items that make you think he might become violent?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Is there other information you would like the court to know about the danger you may be in? (An event, a specific threat, a feeling you may have)
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Procedure: For each question, please check any items that match reported acts of abuse by the perpetrator.
Toward partner?
__Acute & Severe: life-threatening injury, losing consciousness, hitting abdomen during pregnancy, deep cuts; injury requiring hospitalization or extended medical care).
__Severe (cuts, lacerations, severe bruises, pain in joints).
__Serious (bruises, soreness, very shallow cuts, sprains).
Give examples of incidents:
Toward children? (Check only worst level of violence.)
__Acute & severe
__Severe
__Serious
Give examples of incidents:
__Has used a weapon or martial arts training on his partner or children.
__Has used a weapon or martial arts training on another person.
__Has a weapon or martial arts training and has threatened to use either.
__Has threatened to get a weapon.
__Does not have a weapon, but has threatened to use one.
__Has weapons, but has not threatened to use them and has not used them except for hunting or work.
__Has martial arts training, but has not threatened to use it and has not used it. History of violence?
___ One or two incidents a year
___ Three to six incidents a year
___ Daily, weekly, or monthly incidents
IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS:
___Has threatened to kill his partner or children.
___Has threatened his partner or children with physical harm.
___Has threatened to kill others.
___Has threatened others with physical harm.
___Recent vague threats such as "You'll never..."(leave me, divorce me, etc.) Please list:
SIX MONTHS AGO OR EARLIER:
___Threatened to kill his partner.
___Threatened his partner with physical harm.
___Threatened to kill others.
___Threatened others with physical harm.
___Vague threats. Please list:
___Has served time for crimes involving violence.
___Has served time for homicide or bodily injury.
___Has served time for crimes involving the use of weapons.
___Has been accused and arrested for crimes involving violence, but has not served time.
___Has violated a previous restraining or protective order.
Summarize criminal history, violations of restraining orders, etc.:
__Extremely jealous; may make bizarre sexual accusations, e.g. smells sexual odors on her, claims she had sex with someone while he was out of the room for moments, claims she's having sexual dreams &9;that involve other men, checks her underclothes for signs of sexual activity, etc.; victim's contacts with &9;social/family are severely restricted
__Extremely jealous, accuses her constantly of being unfaithful and is convinced she's seeing other men. Isolates her due to jealousy. Prevents her from having contact with friends and family members
Jealous; victim has less social/family contacts than before relationship
__He has said he hears voices, from God or someone else, telling him to hurt her and/or the children.
__Says, "If I can't have you, no one will."
__Becomes acutely despondent at the thought of separating; e.g. withdraws, becomes uncommunicative, loses interest in daily life, panics, loses sleep, etc. Says life is worthless without her; he can't live without her and threatens or hints of suicide.
__Has tracked her down and found her after she has left him and gone to a battered woman's shelter.
__Has found her after she has left him and moved away.
__Monitors her or tries to find her by going to her workplace or the children's school or day care.&9;
__ Frequently calls to verfiy her whereabouts
__Other signs of obsession:
Check one:
___ Extreme sexual abuse such as inflicting severe pain during sex, having sex right after a beating or soon after surgery of childbirth, forcing her to have sex with other people or animals, beating her to force her to have sex).
___ Uses force to have sex; threatens to sexually abuse children
___ Uses coercion or threatens force in order to have sex
Has been violent while under the influence.
(Check only one item below.)
__Continuous alcohol or drug abuse. How long?______
__Episodic alcohol or drug abuse. How long?_______
NO: In remission. How long?______(Abstinence of less than one year cannot be considered remission; check one of the above).
__Torture (practices meant to inflict severe pain such as burning, cutting, inserting objects inside body)
__Depersonalized (violence in which the victim is treated as an object, such as choking a woman by putting her head in a drawer).
__Highly explosive (becomes acutely violent without warning; there may be no precipitating events such as an argument or a complaint).
__Other (starvation, withholding medications or medical treatment, etc.)
__Abrupt mood changes from "normal" and peaceful to a violent assault.
__ Has injured or killed pets or animals
__Other bizarre forms of violence:
In addition to the above, is dangerousness/lethality increased due to the presence of threats which focus on current or upcoming issues, such as the following:
__Obtaining or renewing a restraining order?
__Initiating or continuing a separation or divorce?
__Initiating a move out of the area?
__Child custody or visitation orders?
__Child support or alimony orders or modifications?
__ Division of property?
__Separated or divorced partner's dating? Or having a boyfriend?
__ Her increasing independence: Getting a job? Getting a better job? Going to school?
__ Starting to drink again?
__ Starting to use drugs?
__ Other(s) :
| Increasing Risk and Dangerousness | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Serious Risk | Severe Risk | Acute and Severe Risk |
| Level of Injury |
|
|
|
| Use of Weapons |
|
|
|
| Frequency |
|
|
|
| Threats |
|
|
|
| Criminal History |
|
|
|
| Isolation |
|
|
|
| Monitoring & Stalking |
|
|
|
| Sexual Assault |
|
|
|
| Substance Abuse |
|
|
|
Appendix A
Example of Sentencing Matrix & Related Forms, Duluth, MN
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