March 5, 2010  Yuma, AZ — A few yes or no questions can help save the life of a domestic violence victim.  The questionnaires are called lethality assessments, and researchers at Johns Hopkins University have just approved new version to help first responders identify the level of risk for every domestic violence victim.

Amberly’s Place Executive Director Diane Umphress says her agency has been using a similar form for years.  She says marking a simple check-box can change the way a victim views her situation.

“So by looking at how many boxes are checked hopefully that’s a tool for them to see wait a minute things have really got a lot further out of hand,” says Umphress.

Kswt.com