IDVAs, MARACs and support services around a domestic abuse case

The family court is only one part of the response to domestic abuse. A network of

specialist services — Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs), MARAC

meetings, support programmes and helplines — exists to keep you safe before, during

and after any proceedings. Knowing what each does helps you ask for the right help at

the right time.

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31

What an IDVA is

An Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) is a specialist worker — trained to the SafeLives standard — who supports high-risk victims of domestic abuse. Their role is practical and safety-focused:

Building a risk assessment of your situation (they use tools like the DASH checklist)
Safety planning for you and your children
Acting as your single point of contact through police, courts, housing and health systems
Helping you apply for protective orders, including through legal aid routes

IDVAs are independent — they are not police officers or social workers and will not report you. Their evidence of engagement can also support legal aid and MIAM exemption applications.

What MARAC is

A Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) is a monthly local meeting where police, health, housing, children's services, probation and voluntary services share information about the highest-risk domestic abuse cases in the area and agree a coordinated action plan for each. You do not attend — professionals do — but the plan's actions affect your situation (e.g. extra police patrols, target-hardening, referrals).

How a case gets to MARAC:

Police risk-grade the case after an incident (standard / medium / high)
A high-risk assessment, or referrals from an IDVA or another agency, triggers a MARAC referral
If you are referred, an IDVA will usually contact you — this is the person who represents your voice at the meeting

You can ask any agency (police, GP, housing officer, children's services) to consider a MARAC referral if you believe you are at high risk.

Other services worth knowing

National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge) — 0808 2000 247, free, 24/7
Men's Advice Line (Respect) — support for male victims: 0808 801 0327
Galop — LGBT+ domestic abuse support
Women's Aid local services and refuges
Victim Support — free emotional and practical help after crime
Domestic abuse support in the courts: the "Support Through Court" service and court-based domestic abuse workers can help litigants in person (see our dedicated guide)
Clare's Law: the "right to ask" police for information about a partner's abusive history (and the "right to know" where police proactively disclose) — see our dedicated guides

How these services interact with your family case

Cafcass checks police and children's services records; MARAC-related risk information often appears in safeguarding letters, so be prepared for the court to take risk seriously
Legal aid: evidence from an IDVA or support service can satisfy the Legal Aid Agency's domestic abuse gateway for legal aid funding
MIAM exemptions: a support service referral letter is on the Practice Direction 3A evidence menu
Fact-finding hearings: IDVA records, DASH assessments and MARAC minutes can be relevant evidence — ask about disclosure rather than assuming you cannot have them
Special measures: tell the court about any support you receive; it supports applications for screens, video links or a supporter

Asking for help without tipping off the abuser

Use a safe device (a friend's phone, a library computer, a work phone); abusers often monitor phones and accounts
Most helpline websites include a quick-exit button and advice on safe browsing
If phoning, consider whether call logs will be seen
If you are in immediate danger, call 999; you can also dial 55 from a mobile to silently signal an emergency to the police (Silent Solution)

Consent, confidentiality and your case

MARAC and IDVA work is normally consent-based, but agencies can share information without consent where there is risk of serious harm
Ask your IDVA what will be shared with which agency — understanding this avoids surprises at court
Anything you tell a support service is not covered by "without prejudice" privilege in the way settlement discussions are; treat communications as potentially disclosable

Common mistakes

Waiting until proceedings have started to contact an IDVA — earlier contact means better risk management
Assuming the police must refer you to MARAC — you or any professional can prompt it
Treating support services as your evidence source only — their primary job is your safety, and safe people litigate better
Overlooking support for the children — many local services run children and young people's programmes

Official links

Get help with domestic abuse (gov.uk): https://www.gov.uk/domestic-violence-and-abuse
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
SafeLives (IDVA/MARAC standards): https://safelives.org.uk
Domestic Abuse Act 2021: https://www.legislation.gov.uk
Legal aid gateway evidence: https://www.gov.uk/legal-aid-domestic-abuse-or-violence
FL401 protective order forms: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/family-court-forms

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with HMCTS or gov.uk.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.