Responding to counter-allegations – guidance for Maracs

Maracs regularly see cases where there is conflicting information about the victim of domestic abuse and the perpetrator. This guidance offers some solutions to these very challenging cases.

It includes information about:

What to watch out for, including:

• perpetrators presenting as a victim
• a victim using defensive or retaliatory violence
• perpetrators using coercive and controlling behaviour
• providing the best support to LGBT+ victims.

What the Marac can do to reach a conclusion and resolution, including:

• sharing information to help agencies, particularly the Idva service or specialist service working with men, to identify a primary victim and aggressor through the use of screening assessments
• identifying risks to both parties
• listening to experts in the room to encourage them to take a lead role in providing advice

The type of information that can be shared, including:

• if either party has a known history of domestic abuse
• information identifying patterns of behaviour that suggest vulnerability or risk.

The actions that the Marac could take, including:

• ensuring that actions taken by different agencies do not conflict
• agreeing actions that ensure safe access to services to minimise risk
• identifying when further assessment should take place outside the meeting, and which services should undertake it.