What is a Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference
(MARAC)?
A MARAC is where
local agencies meet to discuss the highest risk victims of Domestic
Abuse in their area. Information about the risks faced by
those victims, the actions needed to ensure safety, and the
resources available locally is shared and used to create a risk
management plan involving all agencies. The aim of the
MARAC is to
increase the safety, health and wellbeing of the victim – adults
and any children.
MARACs are now
being set up in most areas across England and Wales and are
promoted by the Home Office as good practice. Dorset’s first
MARACs were
held in May 2007 in both sides of the County. They were set
up to run in conjunction with Specialist Domestic Violence
Courts. The initial evaluation of MARACs in other
areas shows that over 40% of victims suffered no further abuse at
the one year follow up stage. The early outcomes for more
recently established MARACs show a
50% reduction in repeat incidents.
When and where are they
held?
MARACs are held
once a month. There are MARACs for Bournemouth, Dorset County
and Poole. The local Detective Inspector for the area chairs the
meetings. Please contact your local Domestic Violence Office
for details of dates, alternatively make your enquiry by completing
our online form.
How to refer a person to
MARAC?
Any agency can refer a person who they believe
to be at very high risk of harm to a MARAC.
A risk assessment must be completed in respect of
the person, to identify a person’s current risk level. Once
the current level of risk has been established and a person has
been identified as very high risk they can be referred to
MARAC by
completing a referral form. You or the designated officer
within your agency will then attend the MARAC meeting
to present the information to other agencies. Full details of
this are contained within the MARAC
protocol.
For further information
please see the relevant documents on the dorsetforyou website
at: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/marac
Please check here regularly for the most up to
date risk assessment and referral form.
There are toolkits to assist each agency in
their role at MARAC.
These are available through http://www.caada.org.uk/
(Coordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse).