MULTI-AGENCY WORKING TO HELP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE


REDUCING repeat victimisation and domestic homicide is the aim of a new ‘best practice' multi-agency public protection project being piloted by the Western Area's Sunflower Centres which started this week.

The people classed as ‘very high risk' of domestic violence by the police and other agencies will be discussed by representatives from various organisations - including Children, Schools and Families, Housing, Health, Community Drug and Alcohol Team, Probation and voluntary sector agencies including refuges – to collectively put measures in place to protect victims.

“The multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC) is shown as being best practice by the Home Office to reduce repeat victimisation and reduce the chances of violent or life-threatening incidents amongst the people identified as being the most at risk,” explained Sunflower Centre Manager Anne Clark.

“The aim of the conference is to provide a multi agency victim focussed support plan.”

She said: “The Sunflower Centre was selected to lead on MARAC prior to its roll out across the county due to its multi agency co-ordinated approach to delivering support services to domestic violence victims. The implementation of MARAC in the Western Area is a significant development in safety work for victims as in areas where MARAC is already established, evaluations show a 40 per cent decrease in repeat victimisation.

"The first MARAC was attended by representatives from 10 agencies, which shows how seriously domestic abuse is taken by the partnership agencies in the Western Area.”

She said: “MARAC is aimed at very high-risk victims and will be held once a month and deal with around 10 cases. However, the services available via the Sunflower Centre are available to anyone seeking support regarding domestic abuse issues. The Sunflower Centre provides both criminal and civil justice solutions and works with dozens of cases every day.”

The conference is expected to be rolled out across the county after the initial six-month pilot has been completed in the Western Area.

The Sunflower Centre is a multi-agency partnership service for victims of domestic abuse and hate crime with centres in Watford and Hemel Hempstead.*



Note to editors: *Because most victims are fleeing domestic violence, we are unable to disclose the locations of the Sunflower centres in Watford and Hemel.

For more information: Please contact Ailsa Roe, Western Area Press & PR Officer in Corporate Communication on 01923 472080.

September 2007