Lifesaving domestic abuse meetings under strain, warns charity

Domestic abuse meetings that protect victims from serious harm are being pushed to breaking point, a new report from UK charity SafeLives has warned.  

The charity says the frontline system that brings agencies together to protect those most at risk is under growing pressure from rising caseloads and shrinking resources. 

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) bring together key agencies, including police, health, housing, and social services, to share vital information, assess risk, and plan coordinated safety measures for victims and their families.

The new report, Professionals’ Views on MARAC: What Is Working Well and What Are the Challenges, centres the voices of frontline professionals, shining a light on both the strengths and systemic challenges of the current system. 

Rising Pressures on a Vital Lifeline 

Findings from over 700 professionals across 22 local areas and 17 agencies reveal that MARACs remain a cornerstone of the domestic abuse response. Professionals emphasise their crucial role in understanding victims’ circumstances, centring survivors’ voices, and ensuring accountable, whole-family action plans. 

However, the report also identifies mounting pressures, including high caseloads, inconsistent attendance, and delays between incidents and meetings, which are putting victims’ safety at risk. 

Key Findings 

Essential Role: MARACs are vital for understanding victims’ circumstances and ensuring coordinated, whole-family interventions with clear follow-up processes. 

Leadership Matters: Effective MARACs depend on strong Chairs, dedicated Coordinators, and consistent strategic oversight. 

Systemic Challenges: Delays between incidents and meetings, inconsistent attendance, exclusion of key sectors (such as education), and resource constraints reduce MARAC effectiveness. 

Screening Concerns: Current screening processes risk excluding high-risk cases. SafeLives recommends that all referrals are heard, with governance groups addressing inappropriate referrals. 

Training & Guidance Gaps: Agencies require consistent guidance, regular training, and refreshed understanding of referral pathways, domestic abuse dynamics, and risk assessment. 

What Works Well 

Information sharing: Enables agencies to build a full picture of victims, children, and perpetrators, ensuring early safeguarding. 

Victim voice: Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) ensure survivors’ perspectives shape safety planning. 

Collaboration: Broad representation from police, health, housing, and social services strengthens joint decision-making. 

Leadership & coordination: Skilled Chairs and Coordinators make meetings more effective and accountable. 

System impact: MARAC strengthens wider professional relationships and enhances collaboration beyond the meeting itself. 

SafeLives Recommendations for Improving MARAC Practice 

• Ensure consistent attendance from all relevant agencies, including education, housing, health, and social services. 

• Embed victim voice in all discussions through IDVA advocacy. 

• Develop clear, accountable action plans with follow-up tracking and whole-family interventions. 

• Provide ongoing training for all MARAC representatives, Chairs, and Coordinators. 

• Strengthen governance, including oversight of meeting processes, data collection, and outcome measurement. 

• Conduct a national review to assess MARAC effectiveness, including developing statutory frameworks and outcome indicators. 

The SafeLives report highlights the vital role MARACs play in keeping high-risk victims safe, while also pointing to the challenges professionals face in making the system work effectively. Inconsistent attendance, high caseloads, and gaps in training and guidance are putting pressure on meetings and limiting their full potential. 

SafeLives is calling for ongoing training for all MARAC representatives, clearer guidance on processes, and stronger multi-agency engagement to ensure every meeting is effective. The charity also recommends a national review to strengthen leadership, governance, and outcome tracking, helping MARACs continue to protect victims and support families. 

With the right resources, support, and commitment from all agencies, MARACs can remain a cornerstone of the domestic abuse response, ensuring timely, coordinated, and victim-centred action. 

For further details and to read the full report, visit the SafeLives website: Professionals’ views on MARAC research report.