3 - MARAC (MULTI AGENCY RISK ASSESSMENT
CONFERENCE)
What is a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference
(MARAC)?
A MARAC is a meeting where information is shared on
the highest risk domestic abuse cases between
representatives of local police, probation, health, child
protection, as well as housing practitioners, Independent
Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and other
specialists from the statutory and voluntary sectors. After
sharing all relevant information they have about a victim,
the representatives discuss options for increasing the
safety of the victim and turn these into a co-ordinated
action plan.
The primary focus of the MARAC is to safeguard the adult
victim. The MARAC will also make links with other fora to
safeguard children and manage the behaviour of the
perpetrator. At the heart of a MARAC is the working
assumption that no single agency or individual can see
the complete picture of the life of a victim, but all may
have insights that are crucial to their safety. The victim
does not attend the meeting but is represented by an
IDVA who speaks on their behalf.
Referral Criteria
• Victims who disclose a lot of detail about abuse
• Repeat incidents (e.g. unwanted contact from
perpetrator and /or his family, friends; breach of police/