What is the role of the HITS tool in IPV assessment?

• A. It is a comprehensive lethality risk assessment
• B. It is a brief screening tool
• C. It measures financial abuse
• D. It is primarily used to assess child safety

Answer: (B)

The HITS tool is a brief screening instrument used to quickly identify possible intimate partner violence in a client. It asks four yes/no questions about whether a partner has Hurt them, Insulted them, Threatened them with harm, or Screamed at them. Because of its short format, it’s designed to be used in busy settings like primary care, emergency departments, or shelters to flag cases that need a fuller IPV assessment or safety planning. It’s not a comprehensive lethality risk assessment, and it doesn’t measure financial abuse or child safety—those areas require different tools and a broader evaluation.