Safe Lives Domestic Abuse Stalking and Harassment Risk Indicator Checklist (DASH RIC)
The Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-based violence risk indicator checklist (DASH RIC), developed by Laura Richards and Safe Lives, was introduced in 2009 to police forces nationally.
It aims to:
• Identify high risk and serial perpetrators
• Save and change lives through early identification, intervention and prevention
• Identify risk and needs
• Ensure an effective investigation
• Create a common language across agencies to refer a case to risk management meetings such as Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC)
• Enable information sharing
• Inform decision making
In Plymouth we use the Safe Lives version which has 24 questions.
How high risk is identified
1. Professional Judgement
o Where the practitioner completing the risk assessment has serious concerns about risk of serious harm, homicide or suicide, but the number of indicators identified on the DASH is below a score of 14.
o Clusters of 3 – research has identified where there is separation (perceived by the person causing harm, planned or actual), indication of coercive control and physical or sexual violence the risk of homicide increases by 300%
o Non-fatal strangulation
o Stalking
o Threats to kill
o Victim/survivors perception of risk
o Escalation – frequency and level of abuse and victim/survivor levels of fear.
o Concerns about so called Honour Based Abuse and Forced Marriage
The above is not an exhaustive list. If you are concerned speak to your manager, the safeguarding/MARAC lead within your organisation.
2. Number of indicators identified on the DASH RIC
o 1-9: Standard risk
o 10-13: Medium risk
o 14 and above: High risk
All high-risk cases should be referred to the MARAC. The MARAC does not replace child safeguarding procedures. If in doubt speak to your agency MARAC lead and the MARAC Coordinator: marac.pdas@sanctuary.org.uk.
You must also follow child safeguarding procedures, consult your safeguarding lead and make any appropriate referrals for children alongside any MARAC referral.
DASH Top Tips:
• It is a useful tool to support conversations with victims/survivors and our professional judgement of risk.
• It is not a fully accurate predicter of risk of serious harm, homicide or suicide.
• There are questions on both static risk factors (cannot change) and dynamic risk factors (can change), however it is a snapshot of the situation dependent on the victim/survivors understanding of the abuse and trust and readiness to disclose information. Risk fluctuates and can change rapidly so needs to be reviewed.
• It is not as simple as just asking the questions and adding up the score – how the conversation is framed; questions are asked; active listening (being alert to minimisation and self-blame from the survivor) and professional judgement make the most effective risk assessment.
• It does not measure the impact of abuse – particularly important when considering risk of suicide and survivors feelings on entrapment.
• The presence of children increases risk to adult survivors. Children also experience harm in a number of ways from living with domestic abuse. The DASH is not a comprehensive assessment of risk to children from domestic abuse.
Do…
• Explain what it is, why you are doing it and explain confidentiality (and limits of)
• Complete all the boxes
• Record further information and notes in the boxes
• Use your professional judgement
• Review if there is a further incident
• Leave the door open for further disclosure
• Record survivors priorities for their safety
• Follow up with safety planning
For further information on the DASH form, please use the quick guide and severity of abuse grid below.