Governance

Summary

The Governance section of the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP) on domestic abuse provides a comprehensive framework for the structure and responsibilities of police forces in handling domestic abuse cases. It emphasizes the need for dedicated staff including specialist officers and supervisors who have a thorough understanding of domestic abuse dynamics. Key principles include ensuring effective coordination between responding officers and specialist teams, maintaining robust oversight throughout investigations, and promoting leadership that prioritizes victim safety and accountability. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of training, multi-agency collaboration, and welfare support for officers involved in domestic abuse cases.

Key principles

• 1Dedicated structure for domestic abuse investigation and management
• 2Effective coordination between response officers and specialist teams
• 3Ongoing training and development for all involved in domestic abuse cases
• 4Prioritization of victim safety within the policing framework
• 5Implementation of clear lines of responsibility for case oversight

Defined terms

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law)

The DVDS enables information to be shared lawfully with individuals at risk of domestic abuse, under the 'right to ask' or 'right to know' processes.

Multi-agency risk assessment conferences for domestic abuse (MARAC)

MARACs are meetings where agencies share information on the highest-risk domestic abuse cases to coordinate actions that improve victim safety and manage perpetrator behaviour.

Specialist domestic violence court systems (SDVCs)

SDVCs provide a coordinated, multi-agency approach to the prosecution and management of domestic abuse cases.

Domestic homicide reviews (DHRs)

DHRs are multi-agency reviews carried out locally when a person dies as a result of violence, abuse or neglect in a domestic setting.

Information Sharing Agreements (ISAs)

Well-developed and clear agreements between partner agencies to ensure effective collaboration and information exchange.