Assessment and Management of Risk for Intimate Partner Violence by Police Officers Using the Brief Spousal Assault Form for the Evaluation of Risk

Abstract

The management of intimate partner violence (IPV) typically falls to police. For assistance, officers are increasingly using violence risk assessment tools like the Brief Spousal Assault Form for the Evaluation of Risk (B-SAFER). This study replicates the methodology of Belfrage et al. but examines the B-SAFER as used by Swedish police officers when assessing and managing IPV. Results revealed a positive relationship between risk and management. Total scores and overall risk ratings predicted recidivism (AUC [Area under the curve] = .70 and .69, respectively). Finally, a pattern where management recommendations were associated with decreased recidivism in high risk perpetrators but increased recidivism in low risk perpetrators was found. Results validate the use of the B-SAFER by police and reveal mostly comparable findings between the B-SAFER and the Spousal Assault Risk Assessment Guide, as examined by Belfrage et al., but suggest that the B-SAFER may be better suited for police.

Editorial

“…One way to improve the way these instruments are used in a police setting would thus be to provide a basic education with respect to personality and mental health factors: a recommendation that is justified by the fact that male offenders who commit lethal violence on a female intimate partner suffer from a psychiatric disorder in almost 90 percent of the cases 12 (Rying, 2007). The level of omitted factors varies greatly in previous studies (from less than 1% in Storey et al (2014) up to 39% in Belfrage (2008). We can only speculate on the reasons for the large differences.…”

“…Taken together, these studies show that a higher number/level of protective actions or specific protective actions are more often recommended in cases assessed as being high risk (Belfrage & Strand, 2012;Belfrage et al, 2012a;Kropp, 2008;Storey et al, 2014). The predictive validity of IPV assessments was found to be low to moderate, which was mainly thought to be a consequence of effective protective actions preventing repeat IPV in high-risk cases (Belfrage & Strand, 2012;Belfrage et al, 2012a;Storey et al, 2014). However, Trujillo and Ross (2008) found police officers to be biased in their summarized IPV risk assessments.…”

“…Further, the number of risk factors/the total score of the risk factors has been found to be positively associated with the summarized risk assessment (Belfrage et al, 2012a;Kropp & Hart, 2004;Storey et al, 2014). A relationship between the summarized risk assessment and recommended protective actions has also been found in a number of studies.…”

“…Belfrage, 2008;Belfrage & Strand, 2008;Belfrage, Strand, Ekman & Hasselborg, 2012;Dayan, Fox & Morag, 2013); the predictive validity of IPV assessments (e.g. Belfrage & Strand, 2012;Belfrage et al, 2012a;Storey, Kropp, Hart, Belfrage & Strand, 2014); police officers' decision making in the risk assessment and management procedure (e.g. Robinson, Pinchevsky & Guthrie, 2016;Trujillo & Ross, 2008), and the inter-rater reliability/consistency of police officers risk assessments (e.g.…”

“…This assumption is not motivated by any results from previous studies and to our knowledge, it has not yet been tested in a police setting. However, the stability of police officers' SARA, B-SAFER and DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and Honor-Based Violence) ratings has been studied previously (Belfrage et al, 2012a;Storey et al, 2014;Sebire & Barling, 2016). In the first two studies, the first and the second assessment in cases of repeat IPV were compared.…”