National risk assessment principles for family and domestic violence

The National Risk Assessment Principles for domestic and family violence provide an overarching conceptual understanding of risk and managing risk in the area of family and domestic violence, with the intention of keeping women and children safe. The principles do not replace existing state and territory frameworks; instead they provide a guide for policy makers and practitioners to develop risk assessment tools and resources.

The National Risk Assessment Principles form an evidence-based risk assessment and risk management framework that can underpin multi-agency or integrated service system responses to domestic and family violence. Along with the National Risk Assessment principles, two accompanying resources are also available:

• the Companion resource: A summary of the evidence-base supporting the development and implementation of the National Risk Assessment Principles for domestic and family violence; and
• a Quick reference guide for practitioners.

The National Risk Assessment Principles that ANROWS developed are :

• relevant to, and appropriate for, frontline workers/first responders assisting victims of domestic and family violence (DFV) who operate at different levels in multiple sectors and from multiple disciplines;
• reflective of best practice and be informed by the latest national and international practitioner and academic research;
• built on and complement the work undertaken in other jurisdictions and/or by ANROWS
• the result of consultation and testing with key stakeholders; and
• adaptable for use in different service environments (including face-to-face, telephone, internet).

Project Background

The Third Action Plan under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (the National Plan) commits the Australian Government to developing and implementing National Risk Assessment and Safety Management Principles for victims and perpetrators of violence, based on evidence, including the risks that are present for children and other family members who experience or are exposed to violence (National Priority Area 3, Action Item 3.1). ANROWS has been funded by the Commonwealth to produce the National Risk Assessment and Safety Management Principles for Family and Domestic Violence.

The National Risk Assessment Principles project was based on a consultation methodology, the key feature of which was input from the sector, other stakeholders and communities. The project approach and methodology are outlined in the project information sheet, and a full Project report, which details the project methodology and stakeholder engagement is also available by request.

The project was completed July, 2018.