VRAG (Violence Risk Appraisal Guide)

The Violence Risk Appraisal Guide (VRAG) is a standardized tool used by mental health and criminal justice professionals to assess an individual’s potential for future violent behavior. It analyzes various factors such as history of violence, psychological characteristics, and social background to produce a score indicating the risk level—low, moderate, or high. The VRAG helps in decision-making regarding treatment, supervision, and sentencing by providing an evidence-based estimate of violence risk, promoting safety and appropriate resource allocation. It is grounded in research and used to support informed, objective evaluations of potentialdangerousness.