What is domestic Abuse?
“We define domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer. It is very common. In the majority of cases it is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men”
Women’s Aid
Types of Abuse:
- Coercive Control
- Psychological and/or emotional abuse
- Physical
- Sexual
- Financial and Economic
- Harassment and Stalking
- Online or digital abuse
If you are concerned about an individual or family you are working with
There are twelve Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) in Greater Manchester (one per police division). If you are concerned that an individual or family you are working with is suffering domestic abuse, you can make a referral to MARAC. Click on the website link for further information:
MARAC: Information for Practitioners | Help & Support Marac
Click the link to download the MARAC referral form
We offer multi-agency training on Domestic Abuse both online and in person. For more information please visit our training website below
Older Adults and Domestic Abuse
Research previously undertaken by Safe Lives (Older people and domestic abuse spotlight – SafeLives) focused on the experiences and visibility of older adults experiencing domestic abuse.
The review found that on average, older survivors experience abuse for twice as long before seeking help as those aged under 61 and nearly half have a disability.
Yet older clients are hugely underrepresented among domestic abuse services. The research also found that older survivors are more likely to be living with the perpetrator after getting support.
To help raise awareness the MSP has joined forces with Manchester Community Safety Partnership and commissioned the Hidden Harms animation. This video is designed to raise awareness of the issues and the signs to look for.
Her are some additional useful resources for professionals:
- SCIE & NICE Guidance: Recognising and Responding to Domestic Violence and Abuse A Quick Guide for Social Workers
recognising-responding-domestic-violence-abuse-quick-guide.pdf (nice.org.uk)
- LGA & ADASS Guidance: Adult safeguarding and domestic abuse A guide to support practitioners and managers
adult-safeguarding-and-do-cfe.pdf (local.gov.uk)
Further Help
Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline (Independent Choices):
0800 254 0909
Manchester Women’s Aid:
0161 660 7999
24 hr National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge):
0808 2000 247
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme
Right to ask – Clare’s Law
Under the scheme an individual can ask police to check whether a new or existing partner has a violent past. This is the ‘right to ask’. If records show that an individual may be at risk of domestic violence from a partner, the police will consider disclosing the information. A disclosure can be made if it is legal, proportionate and necessary to do so.
Right to know
This enables an agency to apply for a disclosure if the agency believes that an individual is at risk of domestic violence from their partner. Again, the police can release information if it is lawful, necessary and proportionate to do so.
Domestic Homicide Reviews
Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHR’s) are undertaken where the death of a person aged 16 or over has, or appears to have resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by a relative, household member or someone s/he had been in an intimate relationship with.
Domestic Homicide Reviews are the responsibility of the Community Safety Partnership.
To view published DHR’s please visit the Manchester Community Safety Partnership on the link below
Domestic Abuse is a common theme in both our Adult Safeguarding Reviews and our Child Practice Reviews.
For more information about our reviews please visit our ‘Learning From Practice’ pages below: