Assessing the risk

We take a risk-based approach to managing any ongoing threat to victim/survivor of domestic abuse so that, with the victim/survivor, we can consider the best options available to prevent further abuse from happening. Housing 21 understands that the risk will increase to any victim/survivor at the time a disclosure is made.

Effective prevention of further domestic abuse often requires successful multi-agency partnership working. Therefore, we will risk-assess the reported abuse and then collaborate with specialist external agencies to develop an action plan to find a solution for the victim/survivor. If the risks are high, we will refer details to the local Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) (see “working in partnership” below.) A domestic abuse or safeguarding champion and the
safeguarding lead are the only Housing 21 employees that can complete a DASH referral and refer to MARAC.

We will always accept the victim/survivor’s account as a true reflection of actual events upon receiving their reports and support the victim/survivor to make enquiries or seek support from statutory and non-statutory agencies.

We will help victim/survivor to tell us about the abuse quickly and safely so that telling us does not put them at further risk. As part of the action plan, we will agree with victim/survivor how future contact can be made safely.