A new initiative to help increase the safety of domestic abuse victims is being implemented in the Western Isles.
Regular local meetings will be held where information about those at risk of serious harm is shared between local agencies.
The agencies, along with the victim’s representative, jointly develop, implement and coordinate a safety plan.
The scheme, called Marac (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences) has been introduced by the
multi-
It operates on the working assumption that no single agency or individual can see the complete picture of the life of a victim to be able to identify and manage the risks, but all may have insights that are crucial to their safety.
Tackling domestic abuse in the Western Isles
13 September 2016
The primary focus of the meetings is to safeguard the adult victim and links will be made with agencies to keep children safe where appropriate.
Erica Murray, senior practitioner with the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration and former chair of the Outer Hebrides Domestic Abuse Forum, said: “Establishing Marac in the Western Isles is an extremely positive development and has been the culmination of almost two years preparation and forward planning.
"There is a history and culture of close working between island-
"Through early intervention Marac enables us to identify and input measures to protect victims of domestic abuse”.
The Outer Hebrides Domestic Abuse Forum can be contacted by telephoning 01870 604985