Domestic abuse makes up 8% of Wigan Borough’s total crimes, and each year it costs the borough £29 million across a range of services and agencies.

Anybody can become a victim of domestic abuse, there is no ‘typical’ victim. An estimated one in four women will experience some form of abuse in their lifetime.

But whilst the majority of victims are women, children are victims too. They often witness it or are caught up in abuse trying to protect the victim. In 80% of cases, they are in the same or next room.

As well as the risks to their personal safety, children and young people who are regularly exposed to violent behaviour within the family can suffer low self-esteem, become low achievers and can even go on to offend.

The CAADA-DASH Risk Identification Checklist

Devised by the charity, Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse, the Risk Identification Checklist (RIC) is a consistent and simple tool for practitioners who work with victims of domestic abuse in order to help them identify those who are at high risk of harm or homicide.

The RIC is used to identify which cases to refer to MARAC - Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference. Whilst this form provides valuable information about the risks that children are living with, it is not a full risk assessment for children.

Practitioners are advised that when a child or children are perceived to be at risk, a referral should be made to child safeguarding so that a comprehensive safety and welfare assessment can be undertaken.

The Risk Identification Checklist specifically refers to CHILDREN & PREGNANCY, and prompts practitioners to consider the implications that:

• The presence of children including step children can increase the risk of domestic abuse for the mother. They too can get caught up in the violence and suffer directly.

• Physical violence can occur for the first time or get worse during pregnancy or for the first few years of the child’s life. There are usually lots of professionals involved during this time, such as health visitors or midwives, who need to be aware of the risks to the victim and children, including an unborn child.

• The perpetrator may use the children to have access to the victim, abusive incidents may occur during child contact visits or there may be a lot of fear and anxiety that the children may be harmed.

The RIC advises frontline officers to follow local Child Protection Procedures and Guidelines for identifying and making referrals to Children’s Services.

The CAADA-DASH Risk Identification Checklist Assessment tool - PDF Document (236KB)

Domestic Abuse Needs and Asset Assessment 2011 - PDF Document (561KB)

Wigan & Leigh Building Stronger Communities Partnership Domestic Abuse Strategy - PDF Document (490KB)