Lethality Assessment - Draft Language (DGO Working Group 6.09)

This assessment can help you recognize when a situation may be becoming more dangerous. The officer will read the questions to domestic violence victims.

If requested, officers can assist victims by contacting an advocate at the scene.

1. Has your current or previous partner ever used a weapon against you or threatened you with a weapon?

2. Have they threatened to kill you or someone else?

3. Do they act extremely controlling, or try to monitor where you go or who you see?

4. Have you recently le􀅌 or tried to leave the rela􀆟onship?

5. Do you feel afraid they might seriously hurt you?

6. Is there anything else about their behavior that makes you worry about your safety?

A trained advocate can help you plan for your safety, connect with shelter, or explore next steps. Victims may reach out to any of the services listed in this guide at any time for support.

These questions can help you recognize when a situation may be becoming more dangerous. You do not need to answer anything aloud or in writing. If you can answer ‘Yes’ to any of the following questions to yourself, it is recommended that you contact a 24-hour domestic violence hotline. We can help connect you to a counselor to understand your options and make a safety plan.

Does your current or former partner ever

1. Use or threaten you or someone else with a weapon? Have access to a gun?

2. Choke, strangle, or suffocate you?

3. Act extremely jealous, controlling, or monitor where you go? Follow or spy on you?

4. Prevent you from seeing friends, family, or ge􀆫ng urgent medical care?

5. Drive recklessly with you or your kids in the car, or hurt you while driving?

6. Threaten to kill you, someone else, or themselves if you leave?

7. Threaten to hurt your children? Destroy pets or property?

8. Send you threatening or scary messages?

9. Hit you when pregnant, or hit you in the head?

Have you recently

10. No􀆟ced the violence is happening more o􀅌en or ge􀆫ng worse?

11. Le􀅌 or tried to leave the rela􀆟onship?

12. Felt worried about your safety, or afraid they might seriously hurt you?