MARACS

Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences. ( MARACs)
Maracs are held in Barnsley every month. Statutory and Voluntary agencies meet to share information with a view to establishing a risk management strategy to lessen the risk to victims of domestic abuse. MARACS usually focus on high risk victims of domestic violence as indicated through the use of risk assessment checklists. By sharing information, agencies get a better picture of victims situations and so develop responses that are tailored to the needs and goals of individual victims and their children. Safe information-sharing also allows agencies to manage the perpetrator in ways that reduce risk.

Traditionally, support services for those experiencing domestic violence have focused on helping the victim make informed choices. With a MARAC, the local agencies share some of this burden and help manage the risk that the victim faces.

Agencies attending would normally include,

Social Care. Safeguarding Children
Social Care Adult Protection
Berneslai Homes
Probation
Primary Care Trust
Barnsley Hospital NFT
Victiim Support
Local Education Authority
Youth Offending Team
South Yorkshire Police
Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Helpline
Mental Health Services for Older People
Pathways
Barnsley Drugs Intervention Program
Refuge

The person(s) experiencing domestic abuse does not attend the meeting, nor does the perpetrator, or the Crown Prosecution Service. Normally at each MARAC, around 10 cases are discussed. .

The MARAC in Barnsley is chaired by Detective Inspector Clive Westlake. 

Only information that is directly relevant to the immediate safety of the victim and the current incident is shared. This falls into 3 main categories:

Basic demographic information
Information on key risk indicators
Any relevant history of domestic abuse.

MARACS have been piloted in other areas of the UK and it's success has been stagering.

In Caerphilly, between the start of the pilot in January 2004 and September 2005:

-guilty pleas rose from 21% to 61%
-improved convictions from 8% to 32%
-victim retractions reduced from 53% to 17%
-overall offenders being brought to justice increased to 73%
-less dropped cases - from 32% to 19% and
-cases where noevidence was offered fell from 46% to 4%

Statutory and Voluntary agency workers have been trained on the referral process for MARACs. If you are experiencing domestic abuse and you would like some help with this, you can speak with the Independant Domestic Abuse Advocate (IDVA) by contacting Victim Support on 01226 243761. The IDVA will be able to discuss with you the best way of getting help. If it is decided that MARACs might not be the best solution, She can advise you on what help is available and refer you to other specialist agencies.