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The VIGOR Planning Tool

The VIGOR: The Victim Inventory of Goals, Options, & Risks

Developed by Sherry Hamby, Ph.D. & Sarah Clark.

The VIGOR is a safety planning tool to help survivors of violence assess their risk and decide how to cope.

The VIGOR helps you to develop a personalized plan for coping with violence and other life problems.

Of course, some problems are outside any one person’s individual control. Especially, your partner’s behavior is outside of your control. The outcomes of these steps cannot be guaranteed.

Domestic violence advocates know a lot about the options and resources in their own communities. They are based in domestic violence agencies and shelters. You might find it helpful to complete the VIGOR with an advocate, who can provide you with detailed information about the resources in your home town.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) (or 1-800-787-3224 for TTY) will help you find the nearest advocate.

How To Use The VIGOR

  1.  Download the VIGOR at the above link or here.
  2. Download the list of protective strategies here.
  3. Work through the four steps.  Use the list of protective strategies to help come up with ideas.
  4. You can complete the VIGOR more than once, if you situation changes.

© Sherry Hamby, 2012-2014. The VIGOR may be reproduced intact and unaltered without fee for use by victimized women, advocates, providers and others for use as a risk management tool.