Understanding Your Risk

Abusive behavior is never okay, and some abusive behavior is a “red flag” or indicator that the person may seriously hurt or kill you.  Nothing can absolutely predict further violence, but the following indicators should give serious cause for concern.

Please call the Office of Family Safety at 615-880-1100 or FSCInfo@jis.nashville.org to speak with an advocate if you have experienced any of these high-risk indicators.  Our advocates can ask additional questions to assess your risk and help you make a plan to stay safe.  You are not alone.

If you think you might be in an abusive relationship or situation, click the button below to take a quiz about your situation.

Is This Abuse? Quiz

Watch our High Risk Video here (English & Spanish):

                     

 

If you are unable to watch the above videos, review the risk factors below:

• Stalking = 2x or 200% increased risk[1]
• Sexual Violence = nearly 2x or 200% increased risk[2]
• Access to firearms = 5x or 500% increased risk[3]
• Strangulation = 7.5x or 750% increased risk[4]
• Threats to kill = 15x or 1500% increased risk[5]
• Threat or assault w/weapon = 20x or 2000% increased risk[6]

These risk factors come from research on violent intimate partners; however, they may still be helpful to consider for other forms of abuse.

If you think that you are in an abusive relationship, look at our safety planning page for ways to increase your safety and our How We Help Page for support.

 

[1] Cambell, J. (2008). Risk Factors for Femicide and Femicide-Suicide: A Multisite Case Control Study. In Strengthening Understanding of Femicide: Using Research to Galvanize Action and Accountability, 57-65. Retrieved from: https://www.peacewomen.org/sites/default/files/vaw_feminicide_pathmrcwho_2009_0.pdf#page=64

[2] J. Campbell et. all, “Risk factors for Femicide in Abusive Relationships: Results from a Multi-State Case Control Study.” American Journal of Public Health. July 2003, Vol 93, No. 7. P.1090

[3] IBID P. 1092

[4] Nancy Glass, Kathryn Laughon, Jacquelyn Campbell, Anna D. Wolf Chair, Carolyn Rebecca Block, Ginger Hanson, Phyllis W. Sharps, Ellen Taliaferro, “Non-fatal strangulation is an important risk factor for homicide of women.” J Emerg Med. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2009 Oct 1. Published in final edited form as: J Emerg Med. 2008 Oct; 35(3): 329–335. Published online 2007 Oct 25.

[5] J. Campbell, D. Webster, J. Koziol-McLain, C. R. Block, D. Campbell, M. A. Curry, F. Gary, J. McFarlane, C. Sachs, P. Sharps, Y. Urich, and S. A. Wilt, “Assessing Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Homicide,” NIJ Journal 250 (2003): 14–19.

[6] Ibid