Table of Contents

About This Course

1. Introduction to Elder Abuse
2. The Basics of Elder Abuse
3. Substance Use and Other Risk Factors
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Intervention and Treatment
6. Preventing Elder Abuse

Supplements
Case Studies
References
Resources

Out of the Shadows
Uncovering Substance Use and Elder Abuse

Danger Assessment

Several risk factors have been associated with homicides (murders) of both batterers and battered women in research conducted after the murders have taken place. We cannot predict what will happen in your case, but we would like you to be aware of the danger of homicide in situations of severe battering and for you to see how many of the risk factors apply to your situation.

Using the calendar as a guide, please mark the approximate dates during the past year when you were beaten by your husband or partner. Write on that date how bad the incident was according to the following scale (if any of the descriptions for the higher number apply, use the higher number):

• Slapping, pushing; no injuries and/or lasting pain
• Punching, kicking; bruises, cuts, and/or continuing pain
• Beating up; severe contusions, burns, broken bones
• Threat to use weapon; head injury, internal injury, permanent injury
• Use of weapon; wounds from weapon

Mark YES or NO for each of the following. ("He" refers to your husband, partner, ex-husband, ex-partner, or whoever is currently physically hurting you.)

Has the physical violence increased in frequency over the past year?	___ Yes  ___ No
Has the physical violence increased in severity over the past year and/or has a weapon or threat from a weapon ever been used?	___ Yes  ___ No
Does he ever try to choke you?	___ Yes  ___ No
Is there a gun in the house?	___ Yes  ___ No
Has he ever forced you to have sex when you did not wish to do so?	___ Yes  ___ No
Does he use drugs? By drugs, I mean "uppers" or amphetamines, speed, angel dust, cocaine, crack, street drugs, or mixtures.	___ Yes  ___ No
Does he threaten to kill you and/or do you believe he is capable of killing you?	___ Yes  ___ No
Is he drunk every day or almost every day? (In terms of quantity of alcohol.)	___ Yes  ___ No
Does he control most or all of your daily activities? For instance: Does he tell you who you can be friends with, how much money you can take with you shopping, or when you can take the car? (If he tries, but you do not let him, check here: ______.)	___ Yes  ___ No
Have you ever been beaten by him while you were pregnant? (If you have never been pregnant by him, check here: _____.)	___ Yes  ___ No
Is he violently and constantly jealous of you? (For instance, does he say, "If I can't have you, no one can.")	___ Yes  ___ No
Have you ever threatened or tried to commit suicide?	___ Yes  ___ No
Has he ever threatened or tried to commit suicide?	___ Yes  ___ No
Is he violent toward your children?	___ Yes  ___ No
Is he violent outside if the home?	___ Yes  ___ No

Total "Yes" Answers ________

Source: Campbell, J. C. (1995). Prediction of homicide of and by battered women. In J. C. Campbell (Ed.), Assessing dangerousness: Violence by sexual offenders, batterers, and child abusers. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

A printable version (PDF) is available.
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