27.42 Protecting the public and preventing further harm to current and future victims is a primary purpose of MAPPA (see Chapter 22 - Victims for further details). Working together with local agencies, domestic abuse services and specialist victim services is the most effective way of achieving the safety of partners, ex-partners, children and others affected by domestic abuse and stalking. Practitioners must keep in mind the complex dynamics of relationships and abuse when working with victims. Offenders who are perpetrators may also be or have been victims of domestic abuse. Victims may find it difficult to identify their experiences at the hands of the perpetrator as abuse.

27.43 Victims of domestic abuse are likely to be some of the most vulnerable because in many cases they are still at risk from an abusive ex-partner, whether or not they have separated from them (separation is one of the most significant risk factors in domestic abuse).[1] In some cases, there may be other ongoing contact between the offender and the victim where, for example, agreed or court-sanctioned contact with a child of the relationship is taking place. Certain groups of victims may be affected by particular issues. Resources and advice on victims from different groups can be found at https://www.app.college.police.uk/app-content/major-investigation-and-public-protection/domestic-abuse/risk-and-vulnerability/.

27.44 Victims of offenders who have been convicted of a specified sexual or violent offence (including an offence of Coercive Control) and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more have a statutory right to participate in the Victim Contact Service (VCS). Victims who choose to take up the VCS service can receive information about the offender's progress through the sentence and can have input regarding licence conditions. In cases where release will be at the discretion of the Parole Board, victims can submit a Victim Personal Statement explaining the impact on them of the offence and of any potential release. The Probation Service also has some limited discretion to offer the VCS to victims who do not meet the statutory criteria for the service, e.g. where the offence pre-dates the statutory introduction of the Scheme in 2001. For further information about the VCS and discretionary VCS see Chapter 22 - Victims. Victims who are not eligible or do not wish to participate in the VCS should be informed of key information, such as the offenders release, through standard disclosure procedures (see Chapter 10 - Disclosure). Where a victim is in the VCS, the Probation Practitioner should keep in contact with the Victim Liaison Officer (VLO), consulting and passing on information at key stages in the sentence as required under the Scheme and as set out in the Guidance Manual (PI 2014-48). VLOs should attend MAPPA and MARAC meetings as required and in accordance with national and local policies. A VLO must pass on to the Probation Practitioner any information that relates to risk to the victim. This information should then be used to inform the RMP.

27.45 Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) are specialist professionals who work with victims of domestic abuse to develop a trusting relationship. They help victims become safe and rebuild their lives, represent them at MARACs, help them navigate the criminal justice process and work with other agencies to provide support. Stalking advocates are professionals who provide victims of stalking with specialist independent support, advice and advocacy. Partner Link Workers (PLW) work in the community with the victims, current and ex-partners of men attending the Building Better Relationships programme. They keep in regular contact with the Probation Practitioner, contribute to risk management and victim safety planning, ensure that victims and partners are aware of local domestic abuse services and refer them for support, advice and assistance. Information from an IDVA, stalking advocate and PLW should be used to inform the RMP where they are involved.

27.46 Where an offender absconds, prison staff should take steps to alert the police in the area where an at-risk victim resides, to notify them that the offender is unlawfully at large, in order that they can take such steps as might be necessary to secure the victim's safety. For more information see Chapter 22 - Victims.