MARAC Meeting HELP

[ThatWildNavyRobin]

I ended up speaking to police about an issue but somehow quickly it got focused on my ex partner. I ended up disclosing some stuff on domestic abuse by my ex. Since this, I’ve said I won’t cooperate with police and they closed the report. Me and him haven’t been together for months and don’t have contact and he lives 150 miles away. I’m worried the MARAC action will result in police taking some form of action against ex without my consent eg telling him not to contact me or come to my address etc. he fundamentally won’t do that either way, but I don’t want police to have contact w him as we’ve both moved on. Pls advise ! I’m also worried MARAC will result in police re opening file.

It was historic and there is no evidence and I’ve said I won’t cooperate or provide any, including a statement. I just don’t want the MARAC to encourage police to pursue a case without my support but not sure how they could as it’s all hear say

If they said it’s closed it’s closed.

A Marac is about sharing info across different agencies to help increase your safety, if your case is referred to Marac you should get contact from an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (Idva) who would attend to put forward your views on your safety. For example that you don’t want the police to pursue any action or make contact with your ex. Has your case been heard at Marac before? And is there any current contact/incident from your partner or is everything you disclosed historic?

no, never had previous MARAC engagement. There is not current contact and everything is historic

Did the police mention making a Marac referral now? If you’re not currently at risk then even if they make a referral it might not be accepted, as they should only happen if you’re currently at risk. If you want some more advice you could contact your local domestic abuse service as they should have links with the Marac coordinator and they could clarify what is happening for you.

MARaC meetings are usually only held when there is a significant risk or harm or even death due to domestic abuse so I’m surprised it has got this far if the abuse is historical and not current. They can hold a MARaC without your consent, especially if they know more about your ex-partner (previous DV against partners, other offences etc) but it is unlikely they can pursue any charges against him or put any legal conditions in place without your consent. The other complicating factor is whether you have children. If you don’t, you are allowed to make decisions which the police may believe to be unwise. If you have children, obviously their safety will be prioritised over your wishes if they are in danger. I hope that makes sense and good luck.

The referral came from a health care provider and then the police showed up to take a report - I thought they were there for a report on something different but probed on my ex partner and I stupidly answered some of their questions, in a very dramatic way too. I’m also surprised it’s gotten to MARAC and have advised them I judge it to be a waste of good resource but they say they have to hear it out now it’s gone on their list.

I don’t have any children and not pregnant. I don’t think they have anything else on my ex partner they could pursue

Ah I see, bear in mind a Marac is really about getting safety measures and support for you, rather than it being about whether the police pursue action against your ex. They might discuss this but your wishes and opinion should be taken seriously. If it has gone to Marac I would expect a referral has been made to your local domestic abuse service. Even though it sounds like you don’t want/need support I would suggest you talk to the service when they contact you and explain your situation and concerns about the Marac. That service will attend the Marac and their job is to advocate for you and feed back to you after the meeting, so even if you don’t want ongoing support they should be your link while this happens.