The national DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-Based Abuse) checklist, widely used by domestic abuse organisations, has recently drawn media attention.
We have responded to this because we want to reassure our clients and be transparent about how DASH is used within our services as part of a wider system response to risk.
My Sisters’ House statement on the DASH Risk Assessment:
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) have been calling for government reviews of the DASH Risk Checklist since it was first introduced. Despite these calls, there is still no official framework in place. In the absence of national guidance, frontline services have been left to create their own approaches.
Two blurred females with hands clasps
The DASH is not just a form
It is a vital, structured conversation that helps to understand the risks faced by someone experiencing domestic abuse. For it to be meaningful, it must be carried out by a trained professional who understands the complexities of abuse, can recognise the subtleties of coercive control, and works in a trauma-informed way. Risk assessment should never be a tick-box exercise; it requires sensitivity, curiosity, and respect for the courage it takes to share lived experiences.
It is also important to acknowledge that disclosure is not always possible. Survivors may withhold information for many reasons: fear of repercussions, deep emotional bonds with the perpetrator, worry about what the future holds, or concern about the consequences for the perpetrator themselves. Because of this, only the risks that are disclosed can be formally recorded. However, experienced professionals can often sense when a situation is more dangerous than what has been spoken aloud, and will respond in a way that prioritises safety.
The real concern arises when professionals without specialist training use the DASH. Without the right knowledge and grounding in trauma-informed practice, hidden risks may be overlooked and opportunities to provide safety and support may be lost. This creates inconsistency and places survivors at further risk.
Until a clear, government-led framework is in place—backed by sustainable funding and robust training—the DASH will not achieve its full potential. Survivors deserve better.
Our commitment
While we continue to advocate for systemic change, our charity will do everything within our power to keep survivors safe. Our staff are highly trained, experienced, and committed to working in a trauma-informed way. We approach every disclosure with compassion and seriousness, ensuring that every identified risk is responded to.
If clients, service users, or funders raise concerns about the DASH, we will be clear:
We recognise its limitations, and we share concerns about the lack of a national framework.
We are committed to using the tool as effectively as possible, always supported by professional judgement and best practice.
We will always prioritise safety and wellbeing, going beyond the checklist whenever necessary.
We will continue to push for improvements at a national level, while delivering the best possible service to those who place their trust in us.
We remain hopeful that the current focus on domestic abuse will lead to the long-awaited changes that survivors need and deserve.