Clients rarely verbalize the words “domestic violence.” More often, the signs are subtle. You might notice a flinch when a phone buzzes, hear a story that doesn’t quite add up, or encounter a canceled session during a week when things seemed tense at home.

Recognizing intimate partner violence early is one of the most critical skills that clinicians or advocates can bring to their work. However, disclosures are rare. Effective screening happens only when practitioners know which warning signs to look for and how to ask the right questions.

This guide compiles current research on identification, risk indicators, and trauma-informed communication. It serves as a quick reference for your practice or can be shared with your broader team.

The scale of intimate partner violence means most caseloads already include affected clients, whether or not it’s been disclosed.

FBI crime data adds urgency to these numbers. A 2026 report found that the share of violent crimes occurring within domestic relationships has grown over the past five years. As a result, consistent, structured screening matters more than relying on disclosure alone.

In March 2026, a research team at Mass General Brigham published a study that is directly relevant to clinical practice. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the team evaluated an AI tool designed to identify patients who may be at an elevated risk of intimate partner violence.

Research at a Glance

• Three machine-learning models were built to support, not replace, clinical judgment in identifying at-risk patients (Mass General Brigham & NIH, published in npj Women’s Health, March 2026).
• The tool is designed to prompt a supportive conversation and connect patients to resources, not to diagnose or label.
• This reflects a broader shift toward proactive, evidence-based screening in both clinical and advocacy settings.

Regardless of whether your practice uses formal screening tools, research consistently shows the same outcome: structured, consistent identification processes find more cases than relying solely on intuition. Establishing a routine habit of screening during intake, rather than waiting until cases seem concerning, distinguishes proactive practices from reactive ones.

No single indicator confirms abuse; however, a combination of the following signs, especially when accompanied by the client’s hesitancy to elaborate, warrants a direct and private screening conversation:

– The client reports increasing jealousy or controlling behavior from their partner, particularly regarding their autonomy and social interactions.
– There are inconsistent explanations for injuries, missed appointments, or last-minute cancellations.
– The client often minimizes or makes excuses for their partner’s behavior during sessions.
– They have withdrawn from previously supportive relationships or activities.
– When discussing their relationship or home life, the client displays visible anxiety, hypervigilance, or fear responses.

Document patterns over time rather than focusing on isolated incidents, as context and trajectory are as crucial as any single sign. Keeping a brief, dated note after each session, even if it’s just a single line, can help reveal patterns that may not be noticeable in any one conversation.

How a screening question is phrased influences a client’s comfort level in answering truthfully. Minor wording changes can have a significant impact.

If a client discloses, prioritize safety planning and documentation over in-the-moment problem-solving. The goal of the first conversation is to build trust, not resolve the issue.

Recognizing intimate partner violence is not a one-time skill. Instead, it’s a practice that sharpens with consistent screening, current research, and language that keeps the door open.

This guide is built to be shared. Pass it along to your team, print it for a training, or keep it as a quick reference before your next intake.

“Research without humanity is just data. We carry both.”
Read more about the Foundation’s ongoing Intimate Partner Violence research on our News & Insights page.