Identifying domestic violence requires basic knowledge of the different types of violence and their effects. Various forms and tools can help you ask about and make entries on violence. Use the forms systematically to gather preliminary information and document violence in order to ensure the client’s legal protection. Documenting violence is important because it can also help the client in legal proceedings, for example. Make entries and documentation related to violence in accordance with your organisation’s guidelines.
Use the tool developed for recognising digital violence to assess the digital violence experienced by adult clients and to support intervention. The form was created for use in shelters, but all professionals can use it in their work.
Work with the victim of violence to draw up a written safety plan to help them feel more in control of their situation. Only give the victim a copy if it is safe.
Use body maps to document injuries sustained by victims and suspects of violent and sexual crimes in healthcare settings. Mark visible injuries accurately on the maps. They serve as notes and, at best, as legal documentation of injuries. You can draw the injury on the body map and describe it in words in the margin. It is also a good idea to photograph all injuries.
The PAKE assault and body map form also serves as a checklist to help you collect all the relevant information.
Conduct a thorough examination of injuries covering the entire body. If the patient has injuries requiring immediate treatment, conduct a comprehensive examination of the injuries as soon as possible.
If the patient refuses part or all of the examination, note on the body map which parts have not been examined. The absence of injuries may also be a legally significant factor.
Record all injuries observed, even if they are minor and unrelated to the incident. This will help to form a complete picture of the events during legal proceedings. Write your observations in plain language, avoiding medical terms. To avoid confusion, always record the size of injuries in centimeters.
Describe the injuries:
- color(s) of bruising
- size in centimeters
- shape of injury
- direction of injury (starting from the top)
- edges of wound
- bottom of wound
- degree of healing or lack thereof
- other observations
Body maps and PAKE form:
Fill out the form for reporting harassment and persecution if the client has experienced harassment or persecution.
In social and health care services, the risk of domestic violence should be assessed systematically. Only a small number of victims disclose their experiences of violence on their own initiative. Therefore, as a professional, you need to ask directly about experiences of violence in order to identify it.
Use the domestic violence enquiry and assessment form when assessing the client's life situation. Use the guidelines on asking about domestic violence to support the interview. Follow the instructions for filling in the form to ensure high-quality recording.
THL developed the form in cooperation with the Central Finland Health Care District. The form is currently available in electronic format in some client information systems under the title "väkivaltakokemusten arvio".
Domestic violence screening and assessment form (in Finnish)
The risk assessment form is used to assess whether a client is at increased risk of becoming a victim of serious intimate partner violence. Completing the form is one component of the MARAC approach. The information obtained is used to plan measures to improve the victim’s safety in a multi-agency working group.