Icelandic authorities consider new protocol for domestic violence risk assessment

The dynamics of intimate partner violence have been placed under scrutiny following insights from a British criminologist, suggesting that coercive control is the most effective predictor of severe violence or murder in close relationships. This new approach is being considered by Icelandic authorities, which are currently developing a risk assessment protocol for domestic violence cases.

Jane Monckton-Smith, a former police officer who studied 372 homicides of women in England and Wales between 2012 and 2015—all linked to intimate partner violence—developed an eight-stage homicide timeline. This model is intended to help law enforcement differentiate the levels of risk in such relationships. The timeline includes:

1. Offender’s history
2. Rapid relationship development
3. Evolution of the relationship
4. Triggers
5. Escalation of tension
6. Homicidal thoughts
7. Planning
8. Murder

Icelandic police have recently created training videos based on this model, focusing on the signs of coercive control. According to police officer Þóra Jónasdóttir, while not all domestic violence cases fit neatly within this timeline, it’s crucial to understand coercive control as a pervasive factor that can escalate over time, sometimes leading to serious physical harm.

Coercive control encompasses various forms of abuse, including psychological manipulation, isolation, financial abuse, and extreme restrictions on daily activities. This pattern of behavior can trap victims in an environment akin to captivity, undermining their identity and autonomy.

As police practices in managing domestic violence cases evolve, authorities are establishing multidisciplinary risk assessment teams to better evaluate threats in intimate relationships, enhancing the knowledge and tools available to combat domestic violence effectively.