Domestic Violence; The Lethality Index.

Unfortunately Domestic Violence happens. The ones that “love” us the most hurt us the most.

Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone. http://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence

Domestic Violence can be deadly. Below is what is commonly referred to as the “Lethality Index.“

The numbers below in parenthesis indicate the factor by which a domestic violence victim’s risk of homicide is increased relative to other domestic violence victims. For example, if the abuser has used or threatened to use weapons, the victim’s risk of domestic violence homicide is 20.2 times that of the average domestic violence victim.

The Top Five Risk Factors

The numbers in parenthesis indicate the factor by which a domestic violence victim’s risk of homicide is increased relative to other domestic violence victims.

Has the abuser ever used, or threatened to use, a gun, knife, or other weapon against victim? (20.2x )
Ever threatened to kill or injure victim? (14.9x) Document complete and accurate quotes of the threats
Ever tried to strangle (choke) the victim? (9.9x)
Is abuser violently or constantly jealous? (9.2x )
Has abuser ever forced victim to have sex? (7.6x )

The US Dept. of Justice has compiled a number of studies into a “lethality assessment list” of 17 risk factors for domestic violence homicide. (The full lethality risk scale can be found at www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/jr000250e.pdf)

Have an exit strategy.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Divorce, Child Custody & Support, Alimony, Contempt, Modification, Adoption, Appeals, Corporate Counsel, Professional Licensure Issues, and Civil Litigation.