Free Violence Survey
50+ Expert Crafted Violence Survey Questions
Measuring violence helps organizations pinpoint risk factors and shape effective prevention strategies that protect communities. A violence survey collects firsthand accounts of aggressive incidents and perceptions of safety to reveal hidden patterns and guide informed decision-making. Get started with our free template loaded with proven example questions - or customize your own questionnaire using our online form builder if you need a different approach.
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Top Secrets to Crafting an Effective Violence Survey
Violence survey data can drive real change in policy and community safety. A clear design lets responders share experiences without confusion or fear. Nail your objectives in the first draft: know if you want to measure frequency, location or impact. This focus sharpens both questions and insights.
Begin with definitions and context. Define "violence" for your audience so responses align. Borrow best practices from the community violence exposure scale study to account for type, who was involved, where it happened and how often. That level of detail lifts your survey from basic to robust.
Use representative sampling to reflect true experiences. The Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys methodology shows how national sampling and standard indicators yield reliable results. In a small pilot at my local school, a simple question tripled insights on where students felt unsafe.
Keep questions direct and relatable. Try "How safe do you feel walking alone in your neighborhood at night?" or "Have you witnessed violence among peers at school?" These sample questions spark honest feedback. For a workplace context, check out our Workplace Violence Survey template for tailored prompts.
Test with a small group, tweak unclear wording, and emphasize confidentiality. Embed a poll invitation at the top so participants know their voice truly counts. Ethical clarity builds trust and boosts completion rates.
When you roll out your final version, analyze patterns by demographics, location and type. Share findings with community leaders or HR teams so the data fuels real action. These insights can shape safer training programs and prevention strategies.
By unlocking these top secrets - clear goals, detailed metrics and trust-building - you'll craft a Violence survey that informs and inspires change.
5 Must-Know Mistakes to Avoid in Your Violence Survey
Even a well-meaning Violence survey can stumble on vagueness. Questions like "Have you felt bad?" leave too much open to interpretation. When wording shifts between participants, data reliability plummets. Clear, concrete phrasing solves this from the start.
Next, watch for bias in question structure. Studies like Enhancing the Quality of Survey Data on Violence Against Women show that feminist-informed phrasing cuts underreporting. Specific prompts - such as "Did someone close to you ever hit you?" - invite honest responses. Tailor language to your audience's experience.
Ignoring context is another major mistake. The street efficacy concept teaches us that perceived safety affects how people answer. Ask not just what happened but how confident they felt walking home alone. This dual lens reveals both past events and current risks.
Skipping a pilot test often backfires. In one urban youth project, poorly worded items led to 30% unanswered questions - data that can't be used. A small test run highlights confusing terms and logical gaps. Fix those before you go live to boost completion rates.
Finally, neglecting confidentiality and sampling balance undermines trust. If participants doubt privacy or if you only survey a volunteer pool, insights skew. Spell out your data protections, use secure platforms, and follow a diverse outreach plan - like our Youth Violence Survey approach - to capture real voices.
Steer clear of these 5 must-know mistakes. Invest time in clear wording, bias-free phrasing, contextual questions, thorough pilot testing and ethical sampling. Apply these tips, refine each step, and transform your Violence survey into a powerful tool for change.
Workplace Violence Questions
This section explores incidents and perceptions of aggression in professional settings to improve safety protocols. It captures both direct and witnessed violence and evaluates organizational response. Workplace Violence Survey
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Have you ever witnessed or experienced physical aggression at your workplace?
This question identifies direct exposure to physical violence, which is critical for assessing risk and prioritizing interventions.
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How often do you feel threatened or unsafe while performing your job duties?
Frequency data helps measure ongoing risk factors and guide workplace safety improvements.
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Have there been incidents of verbal threats or intimidation directed at you at work?
Verbal aggression can escalate to physical violence, so understanding its prevalence is essential for prevention.
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Are conflict resolution protocols clearly communicated and enforced in your organization?
This assesses the effectiveness of policies designed to mitigate and manage workplace aggression.
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Do you feel comfortable reporting violent incidents to management or HR?
Comfort level in reporting indicates trust in the system and highlights potential barriers to disclosure.
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Have you received training on de-escalation techniques for aggressive behavior?
Evaluating training participation helps determine preparedness to handle violent situations.
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In your opinion, does the workplace culture discourage or tolerate aggression?
Perceived norms influence behavior, making this key to understanding organizational climate.
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Have you observed any patterns in who commits or is targeted by violence at work?
Identifying patterns by role or department supports targeted prevention efforts.
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Are adequate security measures (e.g., cameras, guards) in place at your workplace?
Assessment of security infrastructure informs resource allocation to reduce violent incidents.
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Have violent incidents at work affected your mental health or job performance?
Understanding the broader impact of violence highlights needs for support services and policy changes.
Youth Violence Questions
Youth violence can impact development, school safety, and community well-being. This section gathers data on exposure in educational and neighborhood settings to inform prevention strategies. Youth Violence Survey
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Have you ever experienced or witnessed physical fights among peers at school?
School-based violence is a key indicator of broader youth safety challenges.
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How often do you feel unsafe walking in your neighborhood?
Perceived neighborhood safety influences youth behavior and mental health.
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Have you ever been bullied verbally, physically, or online by other students?
Bullying in any form can contribute to long-term psychological effects and risk behaviors.
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Do you know peers who carry or have access to weapons?
Weapon access increases potential for serious harm and requires targeted interventions.
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Have you felt pressured by peers to engage in violent or criminal activities?
Peer influence is a significant factor in youth decision-making and risk-taking behaviors.
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Are there school programs addressing conflict resolution and violence prevention?
Evaluates availability and visibility of educational interventions for youth.
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Have you witnessed adults in your community using violence to resolve disputes?
Adult behavior models can normalize aggression for impressionable youth.
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Have you ever carried a weapon for protection or status?
Carrying weapons indicates perceived threats and social dynamics among youth.
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Do you know where to seek help if you or a friend face violence?
Assessing resource awareness highlights gaps in support networks for young people.
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Has exposure to violence affected your school attendance or performance?
Impact on academics underscores the broader consequences of youth violence.
Intimate Partner Violence Questions
This set explores dynamics of violence between intimate partners, including types, frequency, and effects. Responses help identify patterns and inform supportive interventions. Intimate Partner Violence Survey
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Have you ever experienced physical harm from a current or former partner?
Determines direct exposure to physical abuse, central to defining intimate partner violence.
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How frequently does your partner use threats or intimidation?
Threat-based control tactics can be precursors to more severe violence.
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Have you ever been prevented from seeing friends or family by your partner?
Isolation tactics are common control strategies that indicate coercive abuse.
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Does your partner monitor your phone calls, messages, or online activities?
Technological surveillance is a rising form of intimate partner control.
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Have you experienced unwanted sexual contact within your relationship?
Addresses non-consensual sexual experiences, a key facet of partner violence.
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Are you aware of resources available for victims of partner violence?
Resource awareness is crucial for safety planning and accessing help.
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Have violent incidents affected your mental health or self-esteem?
Psychological impact often accompanies or outlasts physical abuse.
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Have you sought help from law enforcement, medical, or support services?
Help-seeking behavior provides insight into barriers and facilitators of reporting.
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Does your partner exhibit jealousy or possessiveness beyond what you consider normal?
Jealousy can signal controlling behavior that may escalate to violence.
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Do you feel safe ending or leaving the relationship if you choose to?
Perceived safety when exiting a relationship is critical for victim planning and support.
Gun Violence Questions
This section examines experiences and perceptions around firearms-related violence in personal and community settings. Data collected will support policy development and violence reduction strategies. Gun Violence Survey
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Have you ever personally experienced or witnessed gun violence?
Establishes direct exposure, which is vital for understanding individual risk.
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Do you feel safe in public spaces with a high presence of firearms?
Perceived safety impacts mental well-being and community engagement.
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Have you or someone you know ever been threatened with a firearm?
Threat assessments help gauge the prevalence of intimidation tactics involving guns.
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Are you aware of local resources for victims of gun-related incidents?
Resource awareness is critical for timely support and recovery.
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Do you live in a household where firearms are stored safely (locked and unloaded)?
Safe storage practices reduce unintentional injuries and misuse.
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Has exposure to gun violence influenced your mental health or stress levels?
Mental health impacts often accompany traumatic experiences involving firearms.
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Do you support community programs aimed at reducing gun violence?
Gauges public support for interventions and prevention initiatives.
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Have you participated in any community discussions or forums on gun safety?
Engagement metrics reflect awareness and willingness to collaborate on solutions.
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Have you witnessed police or security use firearms in your neighborhood?
Observations of authority responses inform trust and perceived safety.
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Do you believe current laws adequately regulate firearm access?
Perceptions of legal effectiveness can guide policy advocacy and reform.
Sexual Assault Questions
This section examines experiences of non-consensual sexual contact and factors influencing disclosure. Data will help improve support services and reporting mechanisms. Sexual Assault Survey
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Have you ever experienced unwanted sexual contact or advances?
Directly measures prevalence of non-consensual interactions to inform support needs.
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Did you feel able to give or withhold consent without pressure?
Assesses environment and power dynamics that affect consent communication.
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Have you reported an incident of sexual assault to authorities or support services?
Reporting behavior highlights trust in systems and identifies barriers.
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Were you aware of on-campus or workplace resources for sexual assault survivors?
Resource awareness is crucial for timely intervention and care.
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Did you feel supported by friends, family, or colleagues after disclosure?
Social support plays a vital role in recovery and resilience.
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Have you received any training on consent and bystander intervention?
Training participation indicates preparedness to prevent or respond to incidents.
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Do you believe your community takes sexual assault seriously?
Perception of community response influences reporting and healing processes.
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Has fear of retaliation influenced your decision to report or not report?
Fear of repercussions is a common barrier to disclosure.
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Have you experienced emotional or psychological effects after an assault?
Emotional impact measures the broader consequences of sexual violence.
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Do you think current prevention programs are effective in reducing sexual assault?
Perceived program effectiveness guides future educational and policy efforts.
Harassment and Verbal Abuse Questions
This set measures the prevalence and impact of non-physical aggression, including insults and threats. Insights will guide training and policy to foster respectful environments. Harassment Survey
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Have you experienced persistent insults or belittling remarks at work or school?
Identifies frequency of verbal aggression that undermines self-esteem.
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How often do you receive threatening or intimidating messages online?
Digital harassment can be pervasive and affects mental health similarly to in-person abuse.
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Have you ever witnessed someone else being verbally abused in your environment?
Bystander observations help assess broader cultural patterns of aggression.
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Do you feel comfortable confronting someone who harasses you?
Comfort level indicates perceived power dynamics and potential risks for victims.
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Are there clear policies against harassment in your organization or institution?
Policy clarity is essential for enforcement and victim support.
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Have you reported verbal harassment to a supervisor, teacher, or authority figure?
Reporting behavior reveals trust in systems and potential roadblocks.
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Has verbal abuse ever escalated to physical violence in your experience?
Understanding escalation pathways is key to prevention strategies.
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Do you know where to seek help if you face severe harassment?
Resource awareness supports timely intervention and emotional safety.
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Have you noticed differences in how harassment affects various demographic groups?
Assessing disparities informs inclusive policy and training efforts.
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Do you believe conflict resolution training would reduce verbal abuse in your setting?
Perceived efficacy of training guides investment in prevention programs.
