Definition of Domestic Abuse

Behaviour of a person ('A') towards another person ('B') is 'domestic abuse' if:

  • A and B are each aged 16 or over
  • Are personally connected to each other and the behaviour is abusive.

Behaviour is 'abusive' if it consists of any of the following:

  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Violent or threatening behaviour
  • Controlling or coercive behaviour (the Act extends to cover this behaviour post separation )
  • Economic abuse
  • Psychological, emotional or other abuse.

It does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.

People are “personally connected” to each other if they are or have been in an intimate relationship, civil partners, married they have or at one point had parental relationship in relation to the same child or they are relatives/family.  

Please see the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Honour Based Abuse and Harmful practices Page  for information, advice, resources and e-learning on this topic 

As part of our Safeguarding Training offer we deliver Domestic Abuse Toolkit Sessions, focussing on the ‘how to’ response to Domestic Abuse. Please see Safeguarding Training Brochure for further information and how to book on here: Safeguarding Training and Learning Resources :: YourSpace Mersey Care

We would like to inform you of important changes to how high-risk domestic abuse cases are managed across Liverpool. These changes affect how we assess, refer, and respond to domestic abuse disclosures and aim to improve safety and support for victims while managing increasing case volumes.

🔄 What’s Changing?

From July 2025, Liverpool is piloting a new MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) model known as Operation Sentinel. This follows the earlier pilot in September 2024 and is based on successful practice from Humberside Police (Operation Terrestrial).

Key points of Operation Sentinel:

  • Only high-risk (‘Gold’ risk) and professional judgement cases will be heard at MARAC.
  • Repeat cases (within 12 months) that are assessed as Bronze (standard) or Silver (medium) will no longer be automatically heard at MARAC.
  • These lower-risk repeat cases will instead be reviewed at a monthly Operation Sentinel meeting, attended by core safeguarding agencies including Merseyside Police, IDVA, Adult and Children’s Services, and the MARAC Team- Not MCFT

This change is intended to streamline MARAC discussions, ensuring the highest-risk cases receive appropriate focus and reducing the backlog of up to 110 cases.

🧠 What Does This Mean for You?

If you are involved in supporting individuals who may be experiencing domestic abuse:

  • You will still complete a DASH or MeRIT risk assessment following any disclosure or concern.
  • High-risk (Gold) cases or those assessed as high via professional judgement should still be referred to MARAC.
  • Bronze and Silver repeat cases should be referred using the existing MARAC referral process, but these will be reviewed in Operation Sentinel meetings—not at the full MARAC.
  • Always clearly label referrals as ‘Operation Sentinel’ where applicable.
  • When cases referred to MARAC also require safeguarding referral to Adult Social Care (ASC) or Children’s Social Care (CSC), these should also be referenced as as Operation Sentinel.

🔍 Need Help or Advice?

We understand these changes may raise questions. Here are some key support tools:

If you're unsure about whether to refer a case to MARAC using professional judgement, or need support responding to a concern, please reach out. Thank you for continuing to play a vital role in supporting victims of domestic abuse and helping us maintain a safe and responsive safeguarding environment for our service users.

Mersey Care Safeguarding Team

Resources

In an emergency call 999

For MARAC Referrals please see the Dometic abuse and MARAC section of  Safeguarding referrals.

National

Domestic abuse: how to get help - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

National Domestic Violence Helpline
24 hours – 0808 2000 247 Home | Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline (nationaldahelpline.org.uk)

Muslim Women’s Network Helpline 0800 999 5786

National Men’s advice line
0808 8010327 Website Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men | Men's Advice Line UK (mensadviceline.org.uk)

Galop national helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual victims
https://galop.org.uk/

Karma Nirvana
https://karmanirvana.org.uk/ UK Helpline: 0800 5999 247

Hourglass
https://www.wearehourglass.org/

Helpline 0808 808 8141

Text helpline 07860052906

FCO Forced Marriage Unit - a government helpline dedicated to supporting British Nationals overseas and in the UK who are affected by or at risk of a forced marriage. Call 020 7008 0151 (or 0044 20 7008 0151 if you are overseas)

NSPCC FGM Helpline
NSPCC FGM helpline - if you're worried a child is at risk of or has already had FGM, call the free, anonymous dedicated FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgm.help@nspcc.org.uk

National Stalking Helpline
for victims of stalking, their friends, family and professionals. Call the helpline 0808 802 0300 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am-4pm, Wednesday 1pm-4pm) stalking helpline enquiry form 

Southall Black Sisters
Advocacy and information for Asian and Afro-Caribbean women suffering abuse

Muslim Women’s Network Helpline
national specialist faith and culturally sensitive helpline that is confidential. Call 0800 999 5786, text 07415 206 936 or email info@mwnhelpline.co.uk

The Traveller Movement (TM)
Help for Gypsies, Roma and Traveller women call/whatsApp 0754 1637 795

Vestar specialist family support
Support for Polish victims of domestic abuse.
Vesta - Specialist Family Support CIC | About us, our history, vision (vestasfs.org) Email info@vestasfs.org call 07545075093 (Mon - Thur 9:30 -15:00)

Respect

The Respect Phoneline provides confidential advice for people who are abusive and/or violent towards their partners.

Freephone: 0808 802 4040 Free from landlines and most mobile phones.

respect.uk.net

Ask for ANI at a pharmacy #youarenotalone

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for 'ANI' in a pharmacy that has the 'Ask for ANI' logo on display. 'ANI' stands for Action Needed Immediately but also sounds like the name Annie. They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.

Worst Kept Secret Helpline Merseyside

Freephone: 0800 028 3398 This number will not show up on your phone bill

https://www.localsolutions.org.uk/north-west-services/domestic-abuse/14-worst-kept-secret

Victim Support Merseyside

Free and confidential support for people affected by crime and traumatic events.

0151 353 4003, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

Out of hours: 0808 1689 111

www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/merseyside

Savera UK

Honour-based abuse and harmful practice specialist.

Paul Lavelle Foundation

Support for men in domestic abusive relationships.

Support line: 0151 651 3777

General enquiries: 0151 294 4176

info@paullavellefoundation.co.uk

paullavellefoundation.co.uk/services

Knowsley

Knowsley Council Safer Communities Domestic Abuse Service:

Tel: 0151 443 2610

or email: Enquiries.safercommunities@knowsley.gov.uk 

The First Step (Specialist Independent Domestic Abuse Service):

Tel: 0151 548 3333

www.thefirststep.org.uk
 

Halton

Halton Domestic Abuse Service can be contacted 24/7 on 0300 11 11 247.

Domestic Abuse | Halton Housing

St Helens

Safe2Speak
01744 743200

Emergency accommodation for Domestic Abuse
01925 220541

safe2speak.co.uk

Warrington

Warrington Independent Domestic Violence Abuse (IDVA) service - advice, emotional and practical support for women, men and young people. Call 01925 243359

Warrington Women's Aid Refuge - safe accommodation for women and children, and support and advice to men experiencing domestic abuse. Call 01925 417138

Safe/Emergency Accommodation - The Homelessness and Housing Advice Service can assist you in finding alternative accommodation in an emergency and provide advice on housing options. They can also arrange to install extra safety measures in your current home – known` as a ‘sanctuary scheme’ if deemed safe. For further information Email housingadvice@warrington.gov.uk or call 01925 246868 (out of hours: 01925 444400)

The Domestic Abuse Money and Benefits Advice service. This service can provide advice and support on debt, mortgage and rent arrears, financial advice, assessing benefit entitlement, and housing advice call 01925 246970 or email admin@warrington.cabnet.org.uk

Cheshire CARES (Cope and Recovery Enhanced Service) - local support for victims of crime, even if you don’t want to report the crime to the police. Call 01606 366336

DV Assist – can help you to get Non-Molestation Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Occupation Orders. Call 0800 195 8699

Liverpool

LDAS
0151 263 7474
Freephone: 0800 084 2744
Mobile/Text for hard of hearing: 0756 201 3316
Home - Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service

Local Solutions IDVA Service
0151 709 0990
Info@localsolutions.org.uk
https://localsolutions.org.uk/

Sefton

SWACA
0151 922 8606
Home - SWACA

Sefton Independent Domestic Violence Advisors Team
0151 934 5142
IDVA.Team@sefton.gov.uk

Domestic Abuse - Aide Mémoire for practitioners