The hard and complex work of implementing new multi-agency risk assessment approaches to policing domestic abuse

Abstract

In the period since multi-agency working became the dominant approach to tackling domestic abuse, there has been ongoing development and innovation. However, little is known about what tends to enhance or inhibit the roll-out of such initiatives. This article examines the process of building an enhanced flagship multi-agency model for policing domestic abuse. We report on results from semi-structured interviews, observations of meetings and an online survey with stakeholders who were involved in the development of the principles underlying a new multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC) process. The participants representatives from policing, third sector, health, and probation organisation-described positive benefits of the process, whilst challenges coalesced around the focus on and engagement of perpetrators, and the problem of assessing the dynamics of risk.

Child sexual exploitation and the adoption of public health approaches to prevention: critical reflections on evolving processes and practices

“…Noticeably missing were interventions that responded to individuals who were considered 'more' at risk-as in the example given in the strategic lead's account above-but did not meet the threshold for a safeguarding referral on to secondary and tertiary support. This disconnection, between the aspirations of the strategic leads and the operationalisation of the prevent CSE initiative, further supports the difficulties previously acknowledged of aligning priorities within partnership approaches (Weston 2014;Davies, et al 2023).…”

“…Within these public health frameworks, the police service has assumed key roles in leading and directing a range of preventative activities, including working alongside partners to problem-solve, building cohesive communities, encouraging personal resilience amongst young people, improving data sharing and developing 'whole systems' approaches (see Christmas and Srivstava 2019;van Dijk, et al 2019). While multi-agency working is necessary to address the diverse and interdisciplinary concerns of public health (Hunter and Perkins 2012), little research has focused on its success within those partnerships that have a criminal justice presence and those that have identify difficulties in aligning the interests and priorities of agencies from different cultural and ideological backgrounds (Weston 2014;Davies, et al 2023).…”