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Risk Assessment

There are many tools available to assist law enforcement and courts in performing a risk assessment. A summary of these tools can be found in the Inventory of Risk Assessments.

The preferred risk assessment for use in Louisiana is the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA). ODARA is the first empirically validated domestic violence risk assessment tool that assesses the risk of future domestic assault, and the frequency and severity of future assaults.

LCADV has a network of trainers across the state who are able to train law enforcement, judiciary, prosecution, and advocacy agencies on the use of ODARA. Please contact us today to schedule a training. Trainings can be tailored to your agency’s needs. ODARA should not be implemented in your community without proper training on the tool from an authorized trainer. You may also receive training on ODARA in an e-learning format here. This e-learning program takes 4-6 hours to complete.

LCADV is available to provide technical assistance in the implementation of ODARA in your jurisdiction. Please contact us for further information.

Some courts are aware of an instrument called the Jackie Campbell Danger Assessment which is typically used by advocates in shelter settings as they safety plan with victims.  Experts caution that the Jackie Campbell assessment should be used IN SHELTER/ADVOCACY PROGRAMS ONLY and it should NOT be used by law enforcement or court systems for bail determinations. In no case should any danger assessment be borrowed from the records of a shelter or advocacy program.  In addition to violating multiple federal and state statutes that give specific confidentiality protections to domestic violence victims, it has very dangerous implications for the victim.  It can open opportunities to cross examination and put a victim at terrible risk from retaliation by the offender.  It can also cause unnecessary delays in completing risk assessment. More guidance can be found in LCADV’s full danger assessment memo and accompanying resources:

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