Danika Widmer will present her research on how police officers use the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA). This study aims to address gaps in existing research regarding the practical application of ODARA and provides insights for enhancing intervention strategies and revising protocols related to intimate partner violence (IPV).
Additionally, Carissa Melnyk and Ashley Melvin will present preliminary results of their rapid scoping review examining the involvement of survivors/victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) in participatory research. This research aims to improve how researchers engage with those affected by IPV who wish to contribute to research efforts.
Examining Police Officers Utilization of the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment: Assessing Risk Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Intimate Partner Violence
Denika Widmer, University of New Brunswick - Saint John
Mary Ann Campbell, University of New Brunswick - Saint John
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) stands as a pervasive global health concern, with frontline police officers in Canada assuming a significant role in its management. The Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) instrument has been introduced in New Brunswick to aid police officers with gauging risk levels and formulating effective risk management strategies for IPV cases. However, there is a research gap in understanding the extent to which police officers utilize the ODARA to inform their decision-making processes when addressing IPV incidents. The current study examined 227 IPV case files ranging from 2016 to 2018 from a New Brunswick police organization. These files consisted of occurrence reports and details related to both victim and suspect characteristics. Follow-up files were examined for subsequent police charges following a suspect’s index IPV case until 2023, with an average follow up period of 6.34 years. Results indicated that police officers used the ODARA in 87.7% of cases and often completed the assessment on the same day as the index offence (Mdn = 0). However, multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that the ODARA did not have a statistically significant impact on the number of risk management strategies employed by officers in response to IPV calls. Furthermore, logistic regressions revealed that specific types of risk mitigation strategies do not predict suspect recidivism. The current study aimed to contribute to the limited research on the practical application of the ODARA in the field. Implications of the current findings contribute valuable insights to the enhancement of current IPV intervention strategies and can inform revisions to existing protocols.
Keywords: Intimate partner violence, risk assessment, risk management, police officers
Research framework for engaging intimate partner violence survivors as partners in empowering collaborative transformation: The RESPECT Study
Carissa Melnyk, Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) and University of Regina
Ashley Melvin, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
N. Zoe Hilton, University of Toronto, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
Elnaz Moghimi, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
Crystal Giesbrecht, Faculty/Director of Research, Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan
Elke Ham, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
Background: The few available studies of IPV survivors/victims' involvement in research as participants suggest that they are motivated to contribute to research and most find it a positive experience. In other fields, researchers have developed models for service users to be more fully involved in the research process, from design through dissemination, resulting in research that optimizes knowledge mobilization and improves services and outcomes. Objective: This study seeks to explore approaches to engaging survivors/victims in IPV research and to develop an ethical, equitable, and evidence-based framework for survivors/victims to become full partners in the research process. Method: By conducting a rapid scoping review, evaluating participatory models from other fields, and hosting a collaborative event with researchers and survivors/victims, we are co-creating a participatory framework. Results: We will present the preliminary results of a rapid scoping review focused on the extent to which survivors/victims’ have been involved participatory research. Impact/Action: It is anticipated that this work will have an immediate impact how researchers engage with survivors/victims of IPV who wish to contribute to research.
Keywords: intimate partner violence, survivors/victims, co-research, participatory research