Appendix F
Domestic Violence Assessment: Alleged Perpetrator

Increasingly, CPS develops service plans with perpetrators, as appropriate. These plans not only work toward holding the perpetrator accountable for the abuse, but also guide decisions about involvement and interaction with the children. It is as equally important to engage the perpetrator, as it is the victim and children, in order to obtain accurate and useful information.

Expectations of the Abused Partner and the Relationship

• Describe your relationship with your partner? For example, how do you communicate with one another?
• What type of things do you expect from your partner?
• How would you describe your partner?
• What do you do when you and your partner disagree?
• What do you do when you become angry?

Types of Abusive Behavior and Tactics

• Have people told you that your temper is a problem? Who? And why did they tell you that?
• How do you feel about your partner visiting his or her friends and family?
• How do you and your partner manage your household duties and income?
• Do you ever yell at your partner? Call your partner degrading names? Put your partner down?
• Have you ever physically harmed or used force on anyone in your family? In what way? When?
• Has your partner made you so mad that you pushed, kicked, or slapped him or her? Held him or her down? Grabbed him or her by the neck?
• Have you ever threatened to harm or kill yourself, your partner, your children, or your pet?
• Have you ever threatened or used a weapon or gun against your partner? Do you have access to a weapon or gun?
• Have the police ever come to your home? How many times? Why? What happened?
• Have you ever been arrested, charged, or convicted of a domestic violence assault? If so, what happened?

Risks to the Children

• How would you describe your children?
• What kinds of things do you expect from your children?
• How do you discipline your children?
• How do you think the children are affected when they see or hear you and your partner fighting?
• Have your children ever had to intervene during an argument with your partner? Why and what happened?

Risk Factors That May Increase Levels of Dangerousness

• Did you ever see either of your parents harmed by a spouse or significant other? If so, what did you do and how did it make you feel?
• Were you ever harmed as a child?
• When was the last time you drank or used an illegal substance? How much?
• Have you ever attended a substance abuse program or been arrested for DUI?
• Have you ever been treated for depression?
• Have you previously been violent with your partner? With others?
• Have you experienced pervasive thoughts of homicide or suicide? Attempts? ¹

¹Mederos, F. (2000). Child protection services, the judicial system and men who batter: Toward effective and safe intervention. Unpublished practice paper, Massachusetts Department of Social Services, Jamaica Plains, MA; Ganley, A. L., & Schechter, S. (1996). Domestic violence: A national curriculum for child protective services. San Francisco, CA: Family Violence Prevention Fund; Massachusetts Department of Social Services’ Domestic Violence Protocol. (1995). Unpublished practice protocol, Massachusetts Department of Social Services, Boston, MA; Bragg. L. (1998). Domestic violence protocol for child protective services intervention. Charlotte, NC: Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services.