A. Physical Safety & Abuse (10)
- Have you ever felt physically threatened by this person?
- Have they ever hit, pushed, or physically harmed you?
- Do they use choking, grabbing, or restraining as a form of control?
- Have they ever damaged your property in anger?
- Have you noticed escalation in physical aggression over time?
- Do they threaten physical harm if you do not comply?
- Do they show sudden explosive anger over minor issues?
- Do they carry weapons or have threatened to use them?
- Have they ever used physical intimidation to control you?
- Have you ever needed medical attention due to their actions?
B. Emotional / Mental Abuse (10)
- Do they regularly belittle, humiliate, or shame you?
- Do they manipulate your perception of reality (gaslighting)?
- Do they blame you for things that are not your fault?
- Do they control who you can see or talk to?
- Do they monitor your communications (calls, texts, social media)?
- Do they threaten you with consequences if you express your feelings?
- Do they shame or criticise your emotions or reactions?
- Do they isolate you from friends or family?
- Have they made you feel unsafe in expressing boundaries?
- Do they use intimidation, silent treatment, or withdrawal to control you?
C. Financial Abuse (5)
- Do they control access to money or resources?
- Do they prevent you from working or managing finances independently?
- Do they monitor or dictate your spending?
- Have they used money as leverage or punishment?
- Do they prevent you from accessing personal documents (bank statements, ID)?
D. Compulsive / Ritualistic Behaviours (5)
- Do they engage in repetitive rituals (tapping, checking, arranging)?
- Do they leave objects, symbols, or marks in certain patterns?
- Do they perform superstitious behaviours or routines “for safety”?
- Do these behaviours ever dictate your actions or environment?
- Do these behaviours increase when they feel anxious or threatened?
E. Paranoid / Hypervigilant Behaviours (5)
- Do they frequently suspect others of plotting against them?
- Are they constantly scanning the environment for threats?
- Do they overreact to minor or neutral events as threats?
- Do they require you to comply with safety or control routines?
- Do these behaviours escalate into aggression or coercion?
F. Relationship Dynamics & Control (10)
- Do they make unilateral decisions about your shared life?
- Do they demand constant reassurance or attention?
- Do they punish you for perceived disobedience?
- Do they use affection or approval as leverage?
- Have they tried to restrict your independence or personal freedoms?
- Do they show patterns of “hot and cold” behaviour?
- Do they use jealousy to control or manipulate you?
- Do they escalate behaviour when they feel their control is threatened?
- Do they threaten to leave or abandon you to enforce compliance?
- Do they deny or minimise their abusive behaviours when confronted?
G. Environmental & Situational Risk (5)
- Are there safe places for you to retreat in the home or environment?
- Do they monitor your movements or know your schedule excessively?
- Have you noticed weapons, dangerous objects, or unsafe setups in your environment?
- Are there people around who reinforce or enable their abusive behaviours?
- Do you feel you can safely leave the situation if needed?
✅ Trauma-Informed Assessment Notes
- Start with open, non-judgmental questions.
- Document frequency, severity, and escalation patterns.
- Assess both direct and indirect risk (emotional, financial, physical).
- Include questions about coping mechanisms and compulsive behaviours — these can indicate high-risk patterns when combined with abuse.
- Prioritise immediate safety over gathering complete information if risk is high.
Linda C J Turner | Trauma Therapist & Emotional Healing Specialist 