Translation and Validation of the Hebrew HITS Screening Tool for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a critical public health and human rights issue that remains underreported and often undetected, particularly in cultural contexts where stigma or taboo hinder disclosure. The Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream (HITS) screening tool is a brief, validated measure widely used in clinical and community settings for IPV detection (Sherin et al., 1998). However, a Hebrew-language version of the HITS tool has not previously existed. Methods We translated and validated the HITS tool into Hebrew using a multi-step process: forward translation, expert panel review, back-translation, cognitive appraisal with 18 diverse participants, and field testing with 219 Hebrew-speaking students and recent graduates of Social Work in Israel. Results The Hebrew HITS scale demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.75; McDonald’s ω = 0.864) and good construct validity. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a strong model fit across multiple indices. Gender differences emerged, with men reporting significantly higher IPV scores than women, while no significant differences were found across levels of religiosity. Conclusions The Hebrew version of the HITS tool is a valid and reliable instrument for IPV screening in Hebrew-speaking populations and holds promise for use in clinical, academic, and community settings in Israel. Further research is needed to assess its use in more diverse and high-risk populations.