How to refer to MARAC

How to refer a victim to a MARAC - Any agency can make a referral for cases which meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • A Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment Risk Indicator Checklist (DASH RIC) has been conducted and the outcome of this assessment is that there is a high risk of serious harm (a categorisation of a high risk of serious harm should be made only by staff who have attended appropriate DASH training); or
  • A risk assessment has been conducted and the outcome of this assessment is that there is a medium risk of serious harm but anticipated changes in circumstances are expected to increase risk (a categorisation of medium risk of harm should be made only by staff who have attended appropriate DASH training); or
  • The number of “yes” responses to the questions on the DASH RIC is fourteen or more; or
  • There are fewer than fourteen “yes” responses to the questions on the DASH RIC, or it has not been possible to use the DASH RIC, but a professional has serious concerns and a detailed explanation outlining the rational is provided; or
  • There is a risk of forced marriage or so called ‘honour’ based violence.
  • There has been a further incident on a MARAC case within 12 months of the last MARAC meeting, which if reported to the police would be treated as a crime (violence, threats of violence, stalking and harassment and sexual abuse).

Agencies that refer a case to the MARAC will need to complete the following MARAC documentation:

  • A MARAC referral form:Sussex Non Police MARAC Referral Form
  • A Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment (DASH) Risk Indicator Checklist (Word, 310Kb)

In order to support representatives who attend MARACs, there is a MARAC Research Form (Word, 357Kb) available. This is a helpful tool for representatives who gather information for the MARAC meeting so all the risks are identified and plans are put in place to help keep victims safe.

Getting consent from the victim for the referral to the MARAC

The victim should be involved and informed about the referral to the MARAC, unless doing so would make them or their family less safe. It is helpful to explain to the victim about the process of a MARAC so they can understand how agencies work together to help increase their safety by offering services or support.
If youare making a referral to the MARAC and you do not have the consent of the victim to do so, please complete a'Information sharing without consent form' (Word, 320Kb).

Agencies that make referrals to the MARAC are required to make an immediate referral to an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA). An IDVA will then contact the victim prior to the MARAC meeting so that the victim’s views can be shared at the meeting.

There is a MARAC leaflet (PDF, 119Kb) available which explains to a victim how the MARAC process works.
Sending a referral to the Safer Communities Team

The Safer Communities Team hasa MARAC SupportTeam who collates the relevant documents for the MARAC. Please contact the Safer Communities Team on 01323 466 549 should you need further information about making a referral to MARAC.

You can send a MARAC referral to you have a secure encrypted email account
To get advice about sendingreferrals usingsecure encrypted emails.

The MARAC Operating Protocol (PDF, 305Kb) sets out how partner agencies contribute to the effective operation of the MARAC. It sets out the aims, membership and process of the East Sussex MARACs to ensure that a helpful and consistent response to domestic abuse/violence is provided by all agencies who have a duty of care towards adults and children. The MARAC Information Sharing Guidance (PDF, 282Kb) forms part of this protocol.

If you want to refer a victim for the first time and they are normally resident elsewhere in Sussex, you should contact the relevant MARAC.

For more information on MARACs in West Sussex please click on the following link:

For more information on MARACs inBrighton and Hovego to:

If you need to locate a MARAC elsewhere in England or Wales, contact CAADA on