Scoring:
- >17 (not abusive)
- 15-17 (potentially abusive)
- <15 (abusive relationship)
If you answered Question 1 with "a lot of tension" and Question 2 with "great difficulty," there is a liklihood you are in an abusive relationship. If any Questions 3-8 were answered with "often" or "sometimes," those are additional indications that you are in an abusive relationship.
No matter what your score, if you have a concern about your or your children’s safety or any relationship you are in, you might find it helpful to join a support group, talk with someone at your local battered women’s shelter or women’s center. Call your county social services or police department. You can also consult with your doctor or therapist. The important thing is to seek help.
Please print out your Women Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) test and score and share it with your doctor, therapist or anyone else you wish to share it with.
Source: Brown JB, Lent B, Schmidt G, Sas G. Application of the Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) and WAST-Short in the family practice setting. J Fam Pract. 2000;49:896-903.
