Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) came into effect on 13 April 2011. They were established on a statutory basis under section 9 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Adults Act (2004).
When a domestic homicide occurs the relevant police force should inform the relevant Community Safety Partnership (CSP) in writing of the incident. Where partner agencies of more than one local authority have known about or have had contact with the victim, the CSP of the local authority in which the victim was normally resident should take lead responsibility for conducting any review.
The North Yorkshire Community Safety Partnership (NY CSP) has the responsibility for establishing domestic homicide reviews for North Yorkshire.
Definition and Purpose
A 'Domestic Homicide Review' refers to a review of the circumstances in which the death of a person aged 16 or over has or appears to have resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by: -
- a person whom he/she was related or had been in an intimate personal relationship, or
- a member of the same household
Held with a view to identifying the lessons to be learn from the death. In addition where a victim took their own life (suicide) and the circumstances give rise to concern, for example it emerges that there was coercive controlling behaviour in the relationship, a review should be undertaken, even if a suspect is not charged with an offence or they are tried and acquitted.
The purpose of a DHR is to:
- establish what lessons are to be learned from the domestic homicide regarding the way in which local professionals and organisations work individually and together to safeguard victims;
- identify clearly what those lessons are both within and between agencies, how and within what timescales they will be acted on, and what is expected to change as a result;
- apply those lessons to service responses including changes to policies and procedures as appropriate; and
- prevent domestic violence homicide and improve service responses for all domestic violence victims and their children by developing a co-ordinated and multi-agency approach to ensure that domestic abuse is identified and responded to effectively at the earliest opportunity;
- contribute to a better understanding of the nature of domestic violence and abuse; and
- highlight good practice
The aim in publishing these reviews is to restore public confidence and improve transparency of the processes in place, across all agencies, to protect victims.
Published Reviews
Each DHR results in an Overview Report which much be published. These reports set out the context in which a domestic violence related death occurs and makes recommendations for services to improve practice. In North Yorkshire, each completed DHR is published on this page and is accompanied by a summary report.
For further information please contact:
Odette Robson, Head of Community Safety & CCTV, North Yorkshire Council odette.robson@northyorks.gov.uk
Allan Wescott, Senior Development Officer (Domestic Abuse), North Yorkshire Council Allan.Wescott@northyorks.gov.uk
