• Principle 5: Considering children’s experiences of intimate partner violence

    Expected result: Police officers cooperate with specialised services equipped to identify and assess the risks to children to ensure their protection. Key elements for considering children’s experiences in risk assessment processes In considering children’s experiences in risk assessment processes, police leadership should ensure the following. Police responsible for conducting risk assessment receive regular and systematic training to develop a sound...

  • Principle 4: Adopting an intersectional approach

    Expected result: Police officers trained in intersectional approach will have a better understanding of how to develop tailor-made risk management strategies in a non-discriminatory manner, in compliance with Article 4 on fundamental rights, equality and non-discrimination of the Istanbul Convention. Key elements for applying an intersectional approach to risk assessment In applying an intersectional approach to risk assessment, police leadership...

  • Principle 3: Taking a gender-specific approach

    Expected result: Gender-competent police officers understand the gender dynamics of violence against women and are capable of predicting lethality. Key elements for developing gender competent risk assessment by police In developing a gender-specific approach to risk assessment, police leadership should ensure the following. Risk assessment procedures and practices are based on an understanding of how gender relations and women’s inequality...

  • Principle 2: Adopting a victim-centred approach

    Expected result: Trained police officers are capable of developing more accurate estimates of danger and more targeted, tailor-made and efficient interventions, responding to the needs of the victim in a respectful, professional and gender-sensitive manner. Key elements for adopting a victim-centred approach to risk assessment In adopting a victim-centred approach to risk assessment, police leadership should ensure the following Risk...

  • Principle 1: Prioritising victim safety

    Expected result: Police officers are able to conduct risk assessment in a way that protects women’s privacy, guarantees confidentiality and provides protection from secondary or repeated victimisation. For the best effect, this should be done in collaboration with other relevant agencies. Key elements for applying the principle of victim safety in risk assessment In applying the principle of victim safety...

  • Step 7: Monitor and evaluate risk assessment practices and outcomes

    To support the quality assurance of risk assessment processes and to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement, the police should do the following. Improve the collection of police data on intimate partner violence (106) to allow for the identification of repeat victims and perpetrators, monitor trends and track the progression of cases across the system. Ensure that police risk...

  • Step 6: Develop procedures for information management and confidentiality

    Information management and confidentiality should be based on agreements (formal protocols or any other form that is considered appropriate at national/local level) developed for the timely and appropriate sharing of information between the police and other agencies. These should: be drafted in close consultation with the national data protection authorities (105) to ensure compliance with the GDPR and national legislation...

  • Step 5: Embed police risk assessment in a multiagency framework

    The police should take an active role in establishing a strong multiagency framework for effectively responding to intimate partner violence. Elements to consider when establishing such a framework include the following: identifying all relevant actors that should be involved in addition to the police — specialist victim services, social services, child protection, health services, housing, prosecutors, probation officers, and other...

  • Step 4: Implement systematic police training and capacity development

    In order to ensure that the police have the appropriate knowledge, skills and capacity to effectively implement risk assessment, it is necessary to ensure that: basic training to develop knowledge and awareness of gender equality is mandatory for all police, begins at entry level (police academies) and is continued through all levels and stages of police careers; training for all...

  • Step 3: Identify the most relevant risk factors for police risk assessment

    To effectively determine the level of risk and identify the safety needs of women and children, the following elements should inform police risk assessment processes and practices. The specificities of each national legal context should be considered in developing risk assessment tools and identifying risk factors for different forms of intimate partner violence. Risk factors for intimate partner violence that...

  • Step 2: Identify the most appropriate approach to police risk assessment

    In deciding which approach to use, police should consider that effective risk assessment of intimate partner violence must meet the requirements set out below. The victim’s own assessment of their safety and risk levels are taken into account to inform the risk level identified (on identifying the most relevant risk factors, see Step 3). Evidence-based risk factors are included in...

  • Step 1: Define the purpose and objectives of police risk assessment

    Police risk assessment objectives should include: the design of effective and tailored responses for victim safety; the delivery of targeted and immediate risk management interventions for cases assessed and identified as high, medium or standard risk; informing decisions about whether to proceed with a case should victims choose to withdraw a complaint; holding stakeholders within a multiagency framework accountable for...