Durham Constabulary in the UK is taking an innovative approach to reduce the harm caused by serial domestic abuse perpetrators. This approach, Multi-Agency Tasking and Coordination (MATAC), is significant as it shows how offender management principles are effective in working with perpetrators of domestic abuse. In particular, it demonstrates that diversion and support tactics are effective, rather than using more traditional policing tactics of disruption and enforcement. The approach also shows how police agencies can use data more intelligently to identify and rank those who are causing the most harm, thereby targeting resources where they are most likely to have the greatest impact. Finally, the approach emphasizes the effectiveness of a multiagency approach to tackling domestic abuse.

MATAC uses offender management techniques to address the criminogenic behavior of offenders who have committed repeated offenses against a victim or multiple victims. The initiative has enabled a coordinated multiagency response to support victims and steer the offender to appropriate services. A thorough assessment demonstrates that MATAC is an effective means of reducing the harm and service demands caused by domestic abuse perpetrators and provides important insight into factors involved in serial domestic abuse offending.