Objective:

Ensure that judicial decisions reflect the true risk to survivors, integrate trauma-informed evidence, and prevent escalation or homicide.

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1️⃣ Intake & Case Assessment

Data Sources:

• Police reports
• VioGén risk assessment (Spain)
• Medical & forensic reports
• Social services records
• Victim statements
• Prior restraining orders

Judicial Tasks:

• Verify incident chronology
• Identify repeat or escalating behaviour
• Flag high-risk indicators

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2️⃣ Risk Categorisation

Risk Level	Indicators	Recommended Judicial Action
Low	Single minor incident, no weapons, no previous history	Standard protective orders, monitoring
Medium	Repeated threats, mild physical aggression, controlling behaviour	Restraining orders, probation, multi-agency monitoring
High	Strangulation, severe threats, prior violence, separation risk	Immediate protective orders, emergency relocation, potential detention
Extreme	Weapons, lethal threats, stalking, prior high-risk classification	Urgent restraining orders, GPS tagging, pretrial detention, rapid police response

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3️⃣ Evidence Evaluation

Key Components:

• Physical evidence: Injuries, medical documentation
• Psychological evidence: Trauma assessments, PTSD indicators
• Behavioral evidence: Threat escalation patterns, coercive control, obsessive/ritualistic behaviours
• Environmental evidence: Weapon access, isolation tactics, financial control

Neuroscience Insight:

• Judges should recognise that trauma alters memory, perception, and testimony
• Corroborate psychological evaluations with risk scoring tools (VioGén, DASH, ODARA)

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4️⃣ Protective Measures & Orders

Options Include:

• Restraining orders (temporary or long-term)
• Exclusion zones (distance from survivor)
• Electronic monitoring / GPS tagging
• Emergency relocation / safe housing
• Custody suspension / child protection measures
• Financial safeguards (access to funds, freezing accounts)

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5️⃣ Risk Monitoring & Review

• Review risk at regular intervals or when new incidents occur
• Update orders based on VioGén risk reassessment or equivalent
• Ensure inter-agency communication (police, social services, mental health)

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6️⃣ Sentencing Considerations

• Cumulative harm (physical, psychological, financial, emotional)
• Intent vs pattern (coercive control vs isolated incident)
• Predictive lethality markers (strangulation, weapons, stalking)
• Impact on children and family units
• Rehabilitation vs punishment balance

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7️⃣ Multi-Agency Coordination

• Police, social services, legal advocates, and mental health professionals must share data and risk indicators
• Ensure that the court decision aligns with ongoing safety planning

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8️⃣ Documentation & Accountability

• Decisions should explicitly cite risk factors and evidence
• Record high-risk markers and rationale for protective measures
• Maintain audit trail for inter-agency review

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9️⃣ Survivor Engagement

• Victim consulted in risk assessment (trauma-informed interviews)
• Victim informed of rights, protection orders, and reporting channels
• Ensure survivor has continuous legal representation

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10️⃣ Key Principles for Judges

1. Prioritise safety over procedure — risk to life outweighs minor procedural errors.
2. Recognise cumulative trauma — pattern matters more than isolated events.
3. Integrate expert risk assessment — VioGén scores, forensic psychologists, and social services input are mandatory.
4. Anticipate escalation during separation — implement enhanced measures if victim attempts to leave.
5. Mandate inter-agency enforcement — orders are only effective if actively monitored.

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This framework is designed to reduce domestic homicide risk, improve survivor safety, and ensure accountability for offenders, while remaining trauma-informed and legally robust.

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