The Domestic Violence Tools – Domestic Violence Risk Triage (DVRT) and Domestic Violence Risk Assessment (DVRA) are a set of evidence-based decision support aids used in the management of domestic violence risk in Singapore. These tools were adapted from decision support aids, owned by Protect International, currently used in several protection jurisdictions both internationally and locally.  

Since early 2024, MSF, in conjunction with inputs from local stakeholders, has worked with Protect international to adapt and localise the decision support aids to provide professionals with a shared framework to enable consistent assessments and facilitate more effective communication across the different agencies and different sectors.  

The DVRT and DVRA equip professionals with the means to better identify, assess risk and develop appropriate management plans for both survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence.  

• The DVRT is used by professionals from social service, courts, healthcare and education sectors who may encounter domestic violence concerns. It assists professionals with decision-making on the appropriate immediate response and referrals to the right agencies (e.g., Protection Specialist Centres/PAVE Integrated Services (PSCs/PAVE) or Family Service Centres (FSCs)).  
• The DVRA is used by workers from social service agencies who provide domestic violence intervention.  It guides professionals in the development of mid to long-terms plans for mitigating the risk of domestic violence.  

Domestic violence risk assessment and management are essential components of domestic violence prevention. Singapore recognised a need for consistent and effective practice in identifying domestic violence cases, as well as guide the provision of appropriate level and dosage of intervention.  

• Using the DVRT, professionals are provided with a frame to review available case information, through a process of sorting and prioritizing, to determine the appropriate immediate response to cases. 
• Using the DVRA, professionals are provided with a guide to consider the risk of future domestic violence posed by a perpetrator. This helps professionals in developing plans to manage or mitigate this future harm and protect survivors or other potential victims. 

Professionals are advised to attend training before the usage of the tools and refer to the respective manuals provided when administering each tool.  

These complementary tools serve distinct purposes along the continuum of domestic risk assessment and management. The DVRT is used to confirm suspicions that a situation involves a risk for domestic violence. When suspicions about domestic violence risk are confirmed, the DVRT is used to guide professionals on the immediate action required to help intervene and prevent further domestic violence from occurring. Once determined, professionals are encouraged to use the DVRA to guide mid and long-term action to mitigate the risk of future domestic violence.  

Standardised Risk Assessment Tool	Who uses them?	Key decision for users to make	Key Benefits
Domestic Violence Risk Triage	Used by professionals from social service, courts, healthcare and education sectors who may encounter DV concerns.	Are there reasonable grounds to confirm suspicions that this situation involves a risk for domestic violence?  What are my immediate next steps for this case?	Equip professionals with the means to better identify, assess risk and develop appropriate management plans for both survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Risk Assessment	Used by workers from social service and who provide intervention for DV cases.	What is the nature of the risks of domestic violence?  What steps should be taken to prevent the risk for domestic violence in the mid and long-term?	Provide professionals with a shared framework to enable consistent assessments and facilitate more effective communication across the different sectors.

 

DVRT and DVRA trainings are progressively rolled out to the identified sectors in phases. These trainings are currently delivered in-person or virtually.  

Trainings will be open for professionals to sign up once it is hosted at Social Service Institute from Q3 2026 onwards.  

For more information on tools training and clarifications regarding the usage of the tool, please contact MSF_DV_TOOLS@msf.gov.sg.