Screening check
Should I be screened for partner violence?
Intimate partner violence is physical or sexual violence, psychological aggression or stalking by a current or former spouse or dating partner. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that clinicians ask women of reproductive age about it. Check where you fall.
About you
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What you will see
Whether the USPSTF recommends screening for you, and where to get help.
Educational only, not medical advice. If you are in danger, call 911.
Source
US Preventive Services Task Force, June 2025 recommendation on screening for intimate partner violence and caregiver abuse of older or vulnerable adults.
Validated in
Women of reproductive age, including pregnant and postpartum teens and adults, without signs of abuse; adults 60 or older and adults who rely on a caregiver.
Limits
It is not a screening questionnaire and cannot tell whether you are being abused. It is not for people who already have signs of abuse: they need help, not screening.
What the USPSTF recommends
| Who | Recommendation | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Women of reproductive age, including pregnant and postpartum women | Screen for intimate partner violence | B |
| Older (60 or older) or vulnerable adults | Evidence insufficient to weigh benefits and harms of screening for caregiver abuse and neglect | I |
The 2025 recommendation is consistent with the 2018 one (USPSTF 2025). Screening helps only if people who screen positive are evaluated and, where appropriate, offered or referred to support that has several parts and continues over time (USPSTF 2025).
Why it matters
Nearly half of US adult women (47%) and men (44%) report sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by a partner in their lifetime, and about half report psychological aggression by a partner (USPSTF 2025). Women have higher rates of sexual violence (20% vs 8%), stalking (13.5% vs 5.2%) and severe physical violence (32.5% vs 24.6%) (USPSTF 2025). More than 1 in 10 adults 60 or older report at least one type of abuse or neglect in the past year (USPSTF 2025).
How screening is done
Screening usually means a short questionnaire about current or recent abuse. Examples the USPSTF names are HARK (Humiliation, Afraid, Rape, Kick), HITS (Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream) and WAST (Woman Abuse Screening Tool) (USPSTF 2025). People often do not disclose abuse unless asked directly, and it helps when a clinician asks in a private, safe setting (USPSTF 2025). There is no evidence on how often to screen (USPSTF 2025).
Some states require clinicians to report abuse to authorities, and rules vary by state (USPSTF 2025). You can ask your clinician what they would have to report before you answer.
What support helps
In trials, which were in pregnant or postpartum women, the support that worked had several sessions and dealt with more than the violence alone, for example counseling for depression, parenting support and links to community services. Brief counseling or a referral list on its own generally did not show benefit (USPSTF 2025). Two trials found no harm from being asked the screening questions (USPSTF 2025).
Who is at higher risk
Partner violence happens at all ages and in all racial, ethnic and income groups. Factors that consistently raised risk in reviews include other violence in the relationship, alcohol misuse and mental health conditions such as PTSD and depression. Unplanned pregnancy and being young and unmarried are also risk factors for violence against women (USPSTF 2025).
Common questions
What about men?
The grade B recommendation is for women. More than 44% of men report partner violence in their lifetime (USPSTF 2025). The hotline above is a place to start if it affects you.
What about older adults?
The USPSTF found too little evidence on screening for caregiver abuse of adults 60 or older or adults who rely on a caregiver. Clinicians weigh how common it is and possible harms such as shame or retaliation (USPSTF 2025).
Also see the depression screening (PHQ-9), the depression risk in pregnancy check, the alcohol screening (AUDIT-C) and all screening tests by age.
Sources
- US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Intimate Partner Violence and Caregiver Abuse of Older or Vulnerable Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2025;334(4):329. www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/intimate-partner-violence-and-abuse-of-elderly-and-vulnerable-adults-screening
- National Domestic Violence Hotline. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or chat; free, confidential, 24/7. www.thehotline.org/
Written and maintained by the uncovermyrisk.com editorial team. We do not have a medical reviewer; every claim links to its primary source above. Last reviewed: 2026-10-29. Spotted an error? See About.