Crime reduction 

Domestic abuse in Thames Valley

Domestic abuse in Thames Valley is tackled by a partnership-working approach.

This sees the police, courts, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), prison service, probation, local authorities and other statutory and voluntary organisations work together to combat domestic abuse.

The partners aim to:

• Improve the services provided to victims of domestic abuse.
• Make sure that the safety and support needs of victims of domestic abuse are met by providing well-resourced, safe and accessible services.
• Make sure that domestic abusers are held to account for their behaviour, and given help to change their ways.

Multi-agency risk assessment committees (MARACs)

• There are nine multi-agency risk assessment committees (MARACs) across Thames Valley.
• At least one MARAC is located in each of Thames Valley Police's Basic Command Units.
• MARACs ensure that all relevant agencies are involved in managing domestic abuse victims who are 'high risk'. This allows for a more holistic response to domestic abuse cases, which considers the victim, offender and any children involved.
• MARACs share information about the risks faced by victims, the actions needed to reduce those risks, and the resources available to tackle them.
• They develop risk management plans, involving all agencies.

Domestic abuse courts

• The Crown Prosecution Service has set up five domestic abuse courts in Thames Valley. They are at Maidenhead, Milton Keynes, Newbury, Oxford and Reading.
• In domestic abuse courts, specially-trained magistrates fast-track domestic abuse cases.

Domestic abuse figures

• In 2007/08, the arrest rate for domestic abuse in Thames Valley was 72%. This compares to 26% in 2003/04.
• The Force has a target for 2008/09 to arrest 80% of 'high and medium risk' domestic abuse offenders.
• In 2007/08, there were 26,286 domestic abuse incidents reported to the police. This compares to 12,693 domestic abuse incidents reported to the police in 2003/04.
• Many victims of domestic abuse (around 30%) report that violence began or escalated when they were pregnant.