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Referral
Domestic Abuse - Devon
Domestic abuse is physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial abuse that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. This can include forced marriage and so-called 'honour crimes'. Domestic abuse may include a range of abusive behaviours, not all of which are in themselves inherently 'violent'.
A Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) is a regular local meeting to discuss how to help victims at high risk of murder or serious harm.
A domestic abuse specialist (Independent Domestic Violence Advisors, IDVAs), police, children's social services, health and other relevant agencies all sit around the same table. They talk about the victim, the family and perpetrator, and share information. The meeting is confidential.
The purpose of the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH) risk checklist is to give a consistent and simple tool for practitioners who work with adult victims of domestic abuse in order to help them identify those who are at high risk of harm and whose cases should be referred to a MARAC meeting in order to manage their risk. If you are concerned about risk to a child or children, you should make a referral to ensure that a full assessment of their safety and welfare is made.
A Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) is a regular local meeting to discuss how to help victims at high risk of murder or serious harm.
A domestic abuse specialist (Independent Domestic Violence Advisors, IDVAs), police, children's social services, health and other relevant agencies all sit around the same table. They talk about the victim, the family and perpetrator, and share information. The meeting is confidential.
The purpose of the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH) risk checklist is to give a consistent and simple tool for practitioners who work with adult victims of domestic abuse in order to help them identify those who are at high risk of harm and whose cases should be referred to a MARAC meeting in order to manage their risk. If you are concerned about risk to a child or children, you should make a referral to ensure that a full assessment of their safety and welfare is made.
Referral Criteria
A DASH risk assessment will need to be completed before referral to MARAC.
High risk
High risk is a score of 14 out of the 24 questions.
The referral form can be found on the Devon County Council website. It is a joint MARAC/MASH referral form. Please send a copy to MASH and the appropriate locality MARAC. If there are no children within the relationship the joint form will need to be completed and sent to the appropriate MARAC co-ordinator for the area within which the victim resides.
To refer to MARAC email the MARAC link for the area in which the victim lives:
North Devon: DevonBCUDAONORTH@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Low to medium risk
The following organisations offer support to victims and families:
Devon Domestic Abuse Support Services - Splitz
Tel: O345 155 1074
referrals.devon@splitz.org.cjsm.net
Devon Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse website
The Intercollegiate document for safeguarding children informs health professionals on levels of training required for all practice staff
Training for GPs for safeguarding can be found on each of the safeguarding board's websites
Devon Safeguarding Adult Board
Devon Children and Families Partnership
Devon County Council - Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse (DSVA)
Pathway Group
This guideline has been signed off on behalf of NHS Devon.
Publication date: July 2016
Updated: December 2019
