New IPV Risk Assessment Tool

I recently reviewed and attended an OAFM sponsored training event with Deepa Mattoo, Executive Director and Patricia Coelho, Project Coordinator, of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic. They, together with other community partners, have developed a new Risk Assessment Tool which I think will be extremely helpful for mediators to use as a Screening tool. I have added this to the Resources of those who have taken my Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Screening course and highly recommend you review it and consider having a copy in every file. While we know the development of rapport in terms of asking questions of our prospective clients is a critical skill, we also know that we cannot rely on clients to volunteer highly sensitive information unless we ask some critical questions. Setting the stage by developing rapport, having sufficient time to conduct initial screening interviews and then applying a Risk Assessment Tool such as this is something that quite literally can save a life. Moving forward I will be highlighting the use of this new tool in my training programs.