The Victim Index is designed to assess victims of physical, emotional and mental cruelty. It is appropriate for adults (men and woman) ranging in age from fifteen (15) years of age and older. The Victim Index has a high 5th to low 6th grade reading level. If the patient can read the newspaper, they can complete the victim Index.

The Victim Index assesses distress, measures morale, quantifies self-esteem, screen resistance, identifies substance abuse, evaluates suicide potential, and as a bonus assesses the patient's stress handling abilities.

Applications: includes victim assessment in clinics, courts and treatment settings. Applications include evaluating victims of physical, emotional and mental abuse. Domestic violence, battered and otherwise abused people are representative of people assessed with the Victim Index. The Victim Index is used in counseling and inpatient intake, probation department screening, and on an as needed basis by mental health professionals. The Victim Index screens victims of abuse for related problems, after effects and readiness for help.

Description: The Victim Index consists of 127 items and takes around 20 minutes to complete. The Victim Index has eight (8) scales (measures):

1. Truthfulness Scale: Measures how truthful the patient (client) was while completing the test. The truthfulness scale identifies denial, problem minimization and attempts to "fake good".

2. Distress Scale: Measures experienced misery, pain and suffering. Distress includes, anguish, pain, anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement. Distress is one of the most common reasons adults seek help.

3. Self - Esteem Scale: Reflects patients' explicit valuing and appraisal of self. Self-Esteem incorporates an attitude of acceptance - approval versus rejection- disapproval. It is a person's perception of himself or herself.

4. Morale Scale: Measures the patient's outlook with respect to enthusiasm, confidence, and willingness to work though hardships. Morale is often reflected in a person's attitude, mood, feelings, and confidence.

5. Resistance Scale: Measures defensiveness, resistance to help and uncooperativeness. This scale varies directly with the patients' attitude and outlook. Some people accept help, whereas others resist it.

6. Suicide Ideation Scale: Measures a person's preoccupation with suicide. Suicidal persons give many warnings regarding their intentions and this is often reflected in their conversation.

7. Substance Abuse Scale: Sometime substance abuse (alcohol and other drugs) abuse exacerbates suicidal ideation while impairing judgment.

8. Stress Coping Abilities Scale: Measures how well the client handles stress, anxiety, and pressure. Elevated (90th percentile and higher) Stress Coping Abilities Scale scores indicate the presence of identifiable (diagnosable) emotional or mental health problems.

Why Use the Victim Index? In the not too distant past, evaluators used generic tests when evaluating victims. Tests designed specifically for victims are rather rare. Even the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a generic psychopathology test that is used on both victims and perpetrators alike. And victim assessment goes beyond just alcohol and drugs. When dealing with victims, it is important to clearly determine what their problem needs are and when present to establish their severity. We must know problem severity to appropriately match problem severity with treatment intensity. Appropriately matching problem severity with intervention counseling - treatment intensity is an important factor in treatment effectiveness.

The Victim Index provides a comprehensive victim profile. Its eight (8) measures or scales provide information that helps in understanding the victims' situation and needs. And it's equally important when the victim is problem free. At one sitting of approximately 20 minutes duration, staff acquires a vast amount of victim information that can be helpful when making intervention, counseling, and treatment decisions.

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Reliability and Validity The Victim Index has a proprietary built-in database that that insures inclusion of all administered tests in a confidential (no names) manner. Database analysis facilities frequent reliability and validity analysis. The research is reported in the Victim Index's "VI: An Inventory of Scientific Findings" which can be provided upon request. For example, reliability or internal consistencies (coefficient alpha) are reported in the following table for victims tested with the Victim Index.

All Victim Index Scales have alpha coefficients well above the professionally accepted standard of .75.