The Lethality Assessment Protocol: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It’s Important
This training will be converted into an on-demand format within two weeks following the live event. The on-demand version will be available for separate purchase, providing access to the training content for those who were unable to attend the live event or prefer a self-paced learning experience.
It is well established that people who have experienced domestic violence (DV) face the greatest risk of lethal violence when they are preparing to separate from an abusive partner, 
are actively leaving, or are within three to six months after the relationship has ended. For this reason, professionals need reliable methods to assess and manage lethality risk during these periods.
The Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP), developed by Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell and the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, helps prevent intimate partner homicides and serious injuries by connecting victims to life-saving, community-based services. The LAP also supports accountability for individuals who have caused harm and increases awareness of lethality factors among victims, survivors, and communities. It is an effective, evidence-informed component of homicide-prevention efforts.
Sandie Campanella, a former police detective and District Attorney investigator, developed this training to help professionals from all backgrounds understand and apply the LAP. In this training, she explains how the LAP:
- Is based on disclosures by the person who was abused and examines the nature and pattern of violence perpetrated.
- Provides investigative leads for law enforcement.
- Can be used by District Attorneys to inform bond arguments, plea stipulations, and probation oversight.
- Provides vital information for DV treatment providers when included with arrest documents, supporting more informed evaluation and treatment of DV clients.
- Connects individuals identified as high risk for lethality to community-based advocates who can offer immediate resources and safety planning.
Interactive Follow-Up Meeting
Attendees are invited to join an open discussion 15 minutes following the end of the training, where you can engage with fellow attendees by turning on your camera and microphone. This is an opportunity to share your experiences and contribute to a meaningful exchange of ideas. Time will be allocated to address questions or insights from the training. Please note that attendance is optional and will not affect your eligibility for a training certificate.
1) Explain the importance of using the LAP to reduce or prevent future DV homicides and other severe harm to victims
2) Use the LAP and victims’ responses to assess lethality risk
3) Describe how to use the LAP to inform prosecutors, judges, probation officers, advocates, and DV treatment providers about the full scope of abuse, violence, and high-lethality risk behaviors
4) Explain the challenges, obstacles, and consequences faced by people experiencing abuse and how these factors influence their decisions
Audience
This training is for professionals who work with clients who have experienced or engaged in domestic violence. This includes mental health counselors, social workers, clinical psychologists, forensic experts, law enforcement officials, victims’ advocates, and paraprofessionals.
Content Level
Disclosure
Cancellations
Continuing Education Approval
American Psychological Association (APA)
Safer Society Foundation, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Safer Society Foundation, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Safer Society Foundation, Inc., provider #233, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 6/6/2026-6/6/2029. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.
Who's Presenting
Sandie Campanella, MA
Detective Sandra Campanella (Retired) began her law enforcement career in 2003 at the Longmont Police Department. She spent time as a patrol officer, school resource officer and ultimately, ten years as a detective in the Longmont PD Domestic Violence Unit (2010-2020). She became a DV Investigator for the Boulder County DA’s Office in 2020 and helped create the DV Acute Response Team. Ms Campanella was assigned to that unit until she retired from law enforcement in June 2024. She was selected in 2011 for the Beth Haynes Award, an honor bestowed by the Boulder County DV Task Force for officers who demonstrate a clear knowledge of DV. In 2019 and again in 2024, she received the Beth Haynes Special Recognition Award for exceptional service to victims. Longmont PD honored her in 2020 with the Lifesaving Award for her work in DV and dedication to victims. She testifies as an expert witness in DV trials and is an instructor with the Ending Violence Against Women project. Ms Campanella lectures and trains DV throughout the Metro area and various venues out of state. She serves on the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board, CO DV Fatality Review Board and DVOMB Application Review Committee.
Prior to her law enforcement career, Ms Campanella served in Military Intelligence in the US Army and earned a Master of Arts degree in History with a focus on Women’s History.