Statement on MARAC, victim safety and the early release of domestic abuse perpetrators
The safety of domestic abuse victims must remain the primary consideration in any decision about the release of perpetrators.
We know that effective multi-agency risk management is critical to protecting victims of domestic abuse. Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) have a crucial role to play in proactive risk management posed by high-risk domestic abuse perpetrators returning to the community. As the Government’s early release arrangements continue under the new Sentencing Progression Model, these processes will be vital in supporting effective risk management, information-sharing and victim safeguarding.
Release from prison has always been considered as a point at which a re-referral to MARAC may be appropriate. There does not need to be a new incident or further harm caused before a re-referral can be made to MARAC, and this referral can happen ahead of the release of the perpetrator.
SafeLives consistently advocated for domestic abuse perpetrators to be exempt from early release arrangements. However, due to limitations in how domestic abuse offending is identified and recorded following sentencing, the Government was unable to commit to a specific exemption for this cohort.
This position exposes a wider and longstanding concern regarding the assessment and management of domestic abuse risk within the criminal justice system.
Strengthening the identification, assessment and management of domestic abuse risk must therefore be a priority to ensure that victim safety remains at the centre of all release decisions and that high-risk perpetrators are not returned to the community without appropriate safeguards in place.
What we’re calling for
To strengthen victim safety and improve the management of domestic abuse perpetrators under early release arrangements, SafeLives is calling for:
- A domestic abuse-specific risk assessment framework within probation services to ensure that patterns of coercive control, stalking, repeat victimisation and escalating harm are consistently identified and reflected in release decisions.
- Implementation and embedding of the proposed strong identification and recording of domestic abuse offending throughout the criminal justice process, enabling domestic abuse perpetrators to be more accurately identified at sentencing and throughout their sentence.
- Full use of MARAC processes, where appropriate, to identify, assess and manage the risks posed by high-risk domestic abuse perpetrators returning to the community.
- Enhanced scrutiny of all domestic abuse perpetrators considered for early release, including senior management oversight where indicators of high risk or serious harm are present.
- Mandatory information-sharing between prisons, probation, police and specialist domestic abuse services ahead of release to support comprehensive risk assessment and safety planning. This must also include notifications to schools.
- Victim safety to be embedded as a primary consideration in release decisions, with proactive notification, safeguarding and referral pathways in place for identified victims.
- Improved probation practitioner capability through specialist domestic abuse training, ensuring staff can recognise and assess coercive and controlling behaviour, patterns of repeat offending and indicators of escalating risk.
- A review of the suitability of domestic abuse perpetrators for future early release schemes, including consideration of whether specific domestic abuse cohorts should be excluded where robust risk assessment mechanisms cannot provide sufficient assurance of public protection and victim safety.
We know there are pockets of good practice, but without these improvements, there is a significant risk that domestic abuse perpetrators posing a serious risk of harm to victims and survivors may be released without the necessary safeguards, undermining both victim safety and public confidence in the early release process.
Support for victims and survivors
We recognise that news of a perpetrator’s release, or the possibility of early release, can be frightening and distressing. Support is available.
National Offender Release helpline, delivered by Victim Support
- Offers emotional support, practical guidance and help with referrals to local or specialist services.
- Telephone: 0808 168 9280
Central VAWG Hub
- The Hub is coordinated by Women’s Aid and specialist partners. Support includes safety planning, practical needs assessments, emotional support, specialist advocacy and support navigating services and systems.
- Professionals can access the service or make referrals via: [email protected] or through a transfer from the National Offender Release Helpline – 0808 168 9280.
- For more information provided regarding the hub and eligibility: https://womensaid.org.uk/what-we-do/i-work-with-survivors/prisoner-early-release-guidance/
Community Support Services Fund
- Eligible VAWG services will be able to access £400 per eligible survivor they support. This grant can include supporting a survivor with needs assessments, safety planning, emotional support, targeted advocacy and safeguarding support.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak, use the Silent Solution by calling 999 and pressing 55 when prompted.
You can also seek support from:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge): 0808 2000 247
- Women’s Aid for information and local support services
- Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
- Victim Support: 0808 1689 111
- Your local domestic abuse service or Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA), where available
- Your Victim Liaison Officer, if you are part of the Victim Contact Scheme
If you are concerned about how a release decision may affect your safety, we encourage you to speak to a specialist domestic abuse service, who can help you review your safety plan and access further support.