The four criteria for a referral to MARAC are:
- visible high risk - when the Dash assessment score is higher than 14
- professional judgement - when the Dash assessment score is lower than 14 but concerns are identified by a professional working with the victim
- escalation - when abuse appears to be escalating in severity or frequency. For example, usually three or more Police callouts; three attendances at A and E; or three calls for housing repairs because of domestic abuse in the past 12 months
- repeat referral - where there is an incident, or there has been a development that has made risk to increase and the same victim and perpetrator were referred to any MARAC within the last 12 months
To know more about MARAC or about how to make a referral, email the MARAC co-ordinator.
Email: MARAC@dumgal.gov.uk
To help you determine which criteria the victim is under, use the dash risk assessment checklist.
Dash risk assessment
The purpose of the dash assessment is to give a consistent and simple tool for practitioners who work with adult victims of current domestic abuse (in the last three months, or using professional judgement) 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 the risk.
Before you carry out the dash assessment, you should make sure it is safe for the victim to ask them questions. Further guidance is within the Dash risk checklist document. You can download the checklist on the Safe Lives website.
Download the Dash risk checklist - Safe Lives
If the victim is between the ages of 13 and 18
Download the Dash risk checklist for young people - Safe Lives