Mental Health Assessment

MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT Family and Community Violence: Assessment What are risk factors for family and community violence? Risk Factors The female partner is the victim in the majority of family violence, but the male partner may also be a victim of violence. Victims are at the greatest risk for violence when they try to leave the relationship. Pregnancy tends to increase the likelihood of violence toward the domestic partner. The reason for this is unclear. Factors that make abuse against children more likely include: The child is under 3 years of age. The child is perceived by the perpetrator as being different (the child is the result of an unwanted pregnancy, is physically disabled, or has some other trait that makes him particularly vulnerable). Older adults within the home may be abused because they are in poor health or because they exhibit disruptive behavior and because they are dependent on a caregiver. The potential for violence against an older adult is highest in families where violence has already occurred. Violence is most common within family groups, and most violence is aimed at family and friends rather than strangers. Family violence occurs across all economic and educational backgrounds and racial/ethnic groups in the United States and is often termed “maltreatment.” Family violence/maltreatment can occur against children, domestic partners, or