Domestic Abuse Policy

This glossary defines key terms used throughout this policy:

• domestic abuse - a pattern of abusive behaviour toward an intimate partner or family member, where the abuser exerts power and control over the victim
• perpetrator - person responsible for causing the harm, whether alleged or proven
• victims and survivors - person experiencing the harm
• MARAC - Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference
• trauma - a deeply distressing or overwhelming event, or a series of events, that exceeds a person's ability to cope, leading to lasting negative effects on their mental and physical well-being
• safe accommodation - safe temporary accommodation for women and children escaping domestic abuse
• risk assessment - making a judgement about the risk factors that are present to determine the likelihood of future violence, and the potential for harm
• local connection - a local connection means that you have links to the council area What is a local connection? Shelter England
• NRPF - no recourse to public funds
• MVDAC - Migrant victims of domestic abuse concession (MVDAC) introduced in February 2024 provides victims of domestic abuse with a three-month, non-repayable, and renewable grant of leave to remain in the UK with access to public funds. It allows individuals on spousal or partner visas to leave abusive relationships
• VCSE - VCSE stands for Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise sector, often called the 'third sector' or civil society. It includes charities, community groups, social enterprises, and co-operatives