ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with analysis of the goals and the genre features of the assessment questionnaire itself, a tool whose creators and users anticipated would not only better secure the safety of the domestic violence victim but also contribute to wider contribution from and cooperation among agencies. It focuses on the perceived goals and the validity claims for the Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) questionnaire as well as the persuasive nature of its design, content, and word choice. To illuminate the effects of introducing and implementing LAP in legal and judicial systems, therefore use genre theory, or the study of how typified rhetorical actions not only reflect but also can disrupt systemic behaviors within an organizational culture, in such a way as to change and even enlighten or advance that culture. Finally, domestic violence victims might resist LAP because they are simply not ready to leave the abusive relationship-being ready to leave seems a matter of personal timing.
