Safeguarding responsibilities
MARAC does not replace an agency's safeguarding responsibilities or immediate support. If you identify a victim, discuss the referral with a local domestic abuse support agency. You can refer the victim to:
- Dumfries and Stewartry Women's Aid
- Wigtownshire Women’s Aid
- Rape Crisis Dumfries and Galloway
- Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS)
- Advocacy Support Safety Information Services Together (ASSIST)
- Adult social work
If you are concerned about risk to a child or children
You should make a referral to make sure that a full assessment of their safety and welfare is made. This should not replace your local arrangements for submitting a child concern or child protection referral. Contact child protection - Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Talking to the victim about the referral
If safe to do so, make the victim or survivor aware of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) referral.
It is best practice if you let the victim know of the referral and advise them that an IDAA (Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate) will be in contact. There may be times that this is not possible, and the IDAA will then explain the process when they make contact.
There may also be times that it is not safe to advise the victim of the MARAC. This would only be in exceptional circumstances and the reasons should be clearly outlined in the MARAC referral form you will be submitting. This is when you make a judgement that the risk to the victim is so high and it is not possible to carry out risk assessment with the victim, but you have access to information from other sources such as the police or supportive members whom the victim had disclosed the abuse to.
Other support for the victim
Read our guidance on ways you can support the victim.
Get in contact with local and national organisation that can help.