Assessing Risk for Intimate Partner Violence Leading to Homicide

Since 2010, The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that pediatricians screen for and provide interventions for intimate partner violence (IPV). It is known that the screening and the intervention can increase the risk for intimate partner homicide. Safety of the partner and child is of utmost concern.

Researchers used a modified 11-item Maryland Lethality Assessment Program survey tool to determine risk for homicide among 150 caregivers who presented to a Midwestern urban children's hospital and disclosed IPV. Caregivers were referred to an IPV advocate in the community. Participant's mean age was 32 years, 99% were women, and 59% were white.

Risk for homicide was not associated with race, ethnicity, suburban or urban referral cli…