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Firearm Risk and Decision-Making in Intimate Partner Violence
This survey is part of ongoing work to understand how frontline workers encounter and respond to firearm-related risk in intimate partner and gender-based violence.
1.
Section 1: Your Role and Context
What is your primary role?
Transition house worker
Victim service worker
Legal advocate
Other (please specify)
2.
How many years have you worked in this field?
Less than 1 year
1–3 years
4–7 years
8–15 years
15+ years
3.
What type of community do you primarily serve?
Urban
Suburban
Rural
Remote
Mixed
4.
Section 2: Exposure to Firearm-Related Risk
In your work, how often do you encounter situations where a person using violence has access to firearms?
Frequently
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
Unsure
5.
In the past 12 months, approximately how many cases involved concerns about firearms?
None
1–5
6–10
11–20
20+
Unsure
6.
In the situations you have encountered, what forms has firearm-related risk taken? (Check all that apply)
Direct threats to use a firearm
Indirect or implied threats
Firearms present in the home
Firearms displayed, cleaned, or referenced during conflict
Survivor fear based on known access
Concerns raised by others (family, neighbours, professionals)
Other (please specify)
7.
Section 3: Awareness and Understanding of Legal Options
How familiar are you with Red Flag laws / Emergency Prohibition Orders?
Very familiar
Somewhat familiar
Heard of them but not confident
Not familiar
8.
How confident do you feel explaining this option to a survivor?
Very confident
Somewhat confident
Not confident
I would not explain this option
9.
Section 4: Practice and Decision-Making
Have you ever supported a survivor to consider or pursue a Red Flag law / Emergency Prohibition Order?
Yes
No
Unsure
10.
If yes, what factors influenced the decision to consider or pursue this option? (Open-ended)
11.
In your experience, what factors would make you more likely to raise this option with a survivor? (Check all that apply)
Clear access to firearms
Direct threats involving firearms
Escalation in violence
Separation or attempted separation
Presence of children
Survivor request for legal options
Availability of documentation
Support from team or supervisor
Other (please specify)
12.
What factors would make you hesitate or decide not to raise this option? (Open-ended)
13.
In your experience, at what point in a situation would you be most likely to consider this option?
Early concerns (before escalation)
During escalation
During separation or attempted separation
After a specific threat involving a firearm
After police involvement
Unsure
14.
Does your role affect whether you would raise or support this option? (Open-ended)
15.
When firearm-related risk is present, what other legal or safety options do you typically consider alongside or instead of this option?
(Open-ended)
16.
Section 5: Risk and Safety Considerations
In your experience, what are the main risks for survivors after action is taken to restrict firearm access? (Open-ended)
*
17.
If you have been involved in a situation where action was
(Required.)
taken to restrict firearm access, what happened afterward?
(Open-ended)
Comment:
18.
How prepared do you feel to support a survivor in planning for possible retaliation or escalation after a legal step is taken?
Very prepared
Somewhat prepared
Not prepared
Unsure
19.
In your experience, how do survivors respond when this option is discussed?(Open-ended)
20.
Section 6: System Response
Based on your experience, how would you describe system response when firearm-related concerns are raised? (Check all that apply)
Timely and effective
Delayed
Inconsistent
Dependent on individual worker or officer
Difficult to access
Other (please specify)
21.
What challenges have you encountered when engaging police, courts, or other systems in firearm-related IPV situations? (Open-ended)
22.
How confident are you that firearm restrictions, once ordered, are effectively enforced in your area?
Very confident
Somewhat confident
Not confident
Unsure
23.
Section 7: Organizational Context
Are there policies, protocols, or limitations within your organization that affect whether or how you would raise this option?
Yes (please describe)
No
Unsure
24.
Section 8: Practice Impact and Needs
How does working with firearm-related risk affect your decision-making or sense of responsibility in these situations? (Open-ended)
25.
What would help you feel more confident in deciding whether to raise or use this option in your work? (Open-ended)
26.
What tools or resources would be most useful in supporting your work in this area? (Check all that apply)
Risk assessment tools
Safety planning guidance
Legal process overview
Case examples / scenarios
Training or workshops
Peer discussion spaces
Other (please specify)
27.
Section 9: Follow-Up (Optional)
Would you be interested in participating in a follow-up dialogue session to discuss these issues in more depth?
Yes
No
If yes, please provide contact information:
Email address
