Violence risk communication: Implications for research, policy, and practice

Abstract

Risk communication of violence involves information provided by an assessor to a decision-maker regarding the likelihood that a violent act will be committed by an individual who is being evaluated. It has received relatively little conceptual and empirical attention, in contrast to the increased focus on violence risk factors, outcomes and prediction accuracy seen in research during the last decade. In this article, we offer a number of theoretical and practical justifications for studying risk communication: (a) the significant demand for risk assessment, (b) the likely increase in this demand in the future, (c) the identification of risk communication as conceptually important, (d) the absence of available empirical research, (e) the importance of risk communication as a link between risk assessment and decision-making, (f), the favorable impact of good risk communication on better-informed legal decision-making, and (g) the serious consequences of risk-relevant decisions. After reviewing the relevant theoretical, conceptual, and empirical literature, we discuss the implications of this work for research and policy. Finally, we offer guidelines for better risk communication for mental health professionals who have conducted risk assessments and must communicate their findings. Although the analysis is based primarily on literature and law from the United States, it should have applicability to the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries with similar legal systems.