🏠 Domestic Abuse

⚖️ Statutory Definition

DA Act 2021: Behaviour between those aged 16+ who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members, where it is abusive — including:

• Physical or sexual abuse
• Violent or threatening behaviour
• Controlling or coercive behaviour
• Economic abuse
• Psychological or emotional abuse

Children are victims in their own right (DA Act 2021 s.3) if they see, hear, or are affected by domestic abuse.

🏫 Warning Signs (Children)

• Mood changes / regression in younger children
• Persistent anxiety or "frozen watchfulness"
• Poor concentration, declining attainment
• Reluctant to go home; asks to stay at school
• Flinching at sudden movement or raised voices
• Age-inappropriate sexualised behaviour
• Reports of police attending at home
• Self-harm; parentified / young carer behaviour
• Frequent absences — especially Monday mornings

📊 DASH Risk Levels

Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-based Violence Risk Identification Checklist — 27 questions:

Score 14+ or professional override → refer to MARAC without delay

🤝 MARAC Referral

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference — for high-risk victims. Partners: police, IDVA, children's social care, health, housing, probation.

• School cannot refer directly — go via police or IDVA
• Share information about child/family when asked
• Contribute to safety plan for the child
• Operation Encompass — school notified morning after police attend a DA incident involving a child

operationencompass.org — sign up if not yet enrolled

🔓 Clare's Law & Coercive Control

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (2014):

• Right to Ask — ask police if partner has abusive past
• Right to Know — police proactively disclose risk
• Contact via 101 — no formal complaint needed

Coercive/Controlling Behaviour (s.76 Serious Crime Act 2015):

• Criminal offence — up to 5 years' imprisonment
• Covers patterns of abuse not just physical violence
• Can be used even where partners have separated

📞 Key Contacts