Recidivism, risk factors and risk assessment in victims of domestic violence

Abstract

For recidivism we understand the number of times that the victim, after one or more episodes of domestic violence, appeals to a specialized support service. Risk factors correspond to indicators that are associated with psychological and psychosocial characteristics of the aggressors, victims and/or relationship between both and, which increase the likelihood of recidivism. The risk assessment allows the collection of indicators on the parties involved in the cycle of violence as well as the implementation of measures that prevent the risk of recurrence and minimise their acute. The study included the administration of an instrument entitled a Risk Monitoring Grid in Cases of Recidivism of Victims of Domestic Violence, consisting of 44 items that allowed the collection of risk factors that promote recurrence and which prevent the victims from ending the cycle of violence. From the data extracted from the Social Service Reports of the Social Service Office of the Functional Unit of Forensic Clinic of the Clinic and Forensic Pathology Service, from Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I. P., it was possible to notice 43 female victims (88.4%), who return between 2012 to 2017. Monitoring and risk assessment in a dynamic and continuous way is essential in the identified cases of violence, since it is assumed as an essential vector in the prevention of violence.