Domestic Abuse
DASH risk assessment, coercive control under s.76 Serious Crime Act 2015, positive-action evidence-led prosecution, Clare's Law (DVDS), MARAC and DVPN/DVPO safety planning, and safeguarding children in domestic abuse cases — an officer quick-reference cited to legislation.
Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).
Reviewed by BlueLineHub Editorial
How should officers respond to a domestic abuse incident?
Officers should complete a DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-based violence) risk assessment to identify Standard, Medium or High risk, and take positive action — an evidence-led approach that does not rely on the victim "pressing charges". Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship is an offence under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015, carrying a maximum of 5 years' imprisonment.
Safety-planning routes include referral to MARAC for high-risk victims, DVPN/DVPO protective orders, and referral to refuge or emergency injunctions. Where children are present, Operation Encompass notifies the child's school and officers should always consider a child protection referral — the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises children who see, hear or experience domestic abuse as victims in their own right.
A reference to DASH risk assessment, coercive control under the Serious Crime Act 2015, positive-action evidence-led prosecution, Clare's Law (DVDS), MARAC and protective-order safety planning, and safeguarding children in domestic abuse cases. It is educational reference, not tactical guidance — follow your force's domestic abuse policy, training and current APP guidance.
DASH Risk Assessment
Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-based violence risk identification checklist.
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Standard | No significant risk indicators identified |
| Medium | Some risk factors present — may need MARAC referral |
| High | Immediate risk of serious harm — emergency safety plan + MARAC referral |
Coercive Control
s.76 Serious Crime Act 2015 — max 5 years imprisonment.
Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship. The behaviour must have a serious effect on the victim — causing them to fear violence will be used on at least two occasions, or having a substantial adverse effect on their day-to-day activities.
Examples of Coercive Behaviour
- Financial control — restricting access to money, controlling spending
- Isolation from family and friends
- Monitoring movements, checking phones, tracking location
- Threats of violence, self-harm, or taking children away
Positive Action
Evidence-led prosecution — the decision to charge does not depend on the victim.
- Arrest the perpetrator where there is evidence of an offence
- Do not rely on the victim "pressing charges" — use an evidence-led approach
- Photograph all injuries (with consent)
- Seize phones and devices for evidence
- Take initial accounts from parties separately
- Complete a body-worn video account at the scene
Clare's Law (DVDS)
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme — multi-agency decision within 35 days.
Right to Ask
Anyone can ask police whether their partner (or a partner of someone they know) has a violent past. Applications are assessed by a multi-agency panel who decide whether disclosure is lawful, necessary, and proportionate.
Right to Know
Police can proactively disclose information about a person's partner if they believe there is a risk of domestic abuse. This is a police-initiated process, often triggered during a MARAC or following a domestic incident.
Safety Planning — MARAC and protective orders
MARAC
Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference — brings together police, health, housing, IDVAs, probation, and children's services to share information and create a safety plan for high-risk victims.
DVPN / DVPO
Domestic Violence Protection Notice (issued by police, lasts 48 hours) followed by a Domestic Violence Protection Order (issued by magistrates, lasts up to 28 days). Prohibits the perpetrator from contacting the victim or returning to their home. In the DAPN/DAPO pilot areas — Greater Manchester and the Met boroughs of Croydon, Sutton and Bromley (with British Transport Police) from November 2024, and Cleveland and North Wales from spring 2025 — these are being replaced by Domestic Abuse Protection Notices/Orders under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021; elsewhere in England & Wales the DVPN/DVPO scheme still applies.
Refuge & Emergency Injunctions
Refer victims to local refuge or safe accommodation. Emergency non-molestation orders and occupation orders can be obtained out of hours from an on-call judge.
Children & Domestic Abuse
Domestic Abuse Act 2021 — children who see, hear, or experience DA are victims.
Operation Encompass
When police attend a domestic incident where children are present, the child's school is notified by 9am the next morning so they can provide early support.
Child Protection Referral
Always consider whether a referral to children's social care is required. Record the number, ages, and demeanour of any children present at the scene.
Related reading
Primary sources
BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.
- Verify on official source
Domestic Abuse Act 2021, section 1 — definition of domestic abuse
The statutory definition of domestic abuse that frames this guide's topic.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Domestic Abuse Act 2021, section 3 — children as victims of domestic abuse
Recognises a child who sees, hears or experiences the effects of domestic abuse as a victim.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Serious Crime Act 2015, section 76 — controlling or coercive behaviour
The offence of controlling or coercive behaviour by a person 'personally connected' to the victim (max 5 years). Since the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (s.68, in force 5 April 2023) it covers ex-partners and non-cohabiting family — the former 'living together' requirement was removed.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Crime and Security Act 2010, sections 24–33 — Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders
The DVPN (police, 48 hours) and DVPO (magistrates, up to 28 days) scheme — still operative across England & Wales outside the DAPN/DAPO pilot areas.
Last checked: August 2026
Frequently asked
- What is a DASH risk assessment?
- DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-based violence) is a risk identification checklist with three outcome levels: Standard (no significant risk indicators identified), Medium (some risk factors present — may need MARAC referral) and High (immediate risk of serious harm — emergency safety plan and MARAC referral).
- What counts as coercive control?
- Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, an offence under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 carrying a maximum of 5 years' imprisonment. The behaviour must have a serious effect on the victim — causing them to fear violence will be used on at least two occasions, or having a substantial adverse effect on their day-to-day activities.
- What is Operation Encompass?
- When police attend a domestic incident where children are present, the child's school is notified by 9am the next morning so they can provide early support.