Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews
Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDR) (previously known as Domestic Homicide Reviews or DHRs) were established on a statutory basis under section 9 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act (2004).
The B&NES Community Safety and Safeguarding Partnership (BCSSP) will carry out a DARDR when someone aged 16 or over dies as a result of violence, abuse or neglect by a relative, household member or someone they have been in an intimate relationship with.
Purpose of DARDRs
The purpose of conducting a DARDR is to:
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- 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 these lessons to service responses including changes to inform national and local policies and procedures as appropriate.
- prevent domestic violence and homicide and improve service responses for all domestic violence and abuse victims and their children by developing a co-ordinated 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
A DARDR is not an inquiry into who is culpable, this is for the court or coroner to decide.
DARDR Process
The DARDR will be carried out by a multi-agency Review Panel consisting of representatives from the police, domestic abuse specialist services, heath services, fire services, probation services, and specialist agencies. The Panel is led by an independent chair.
The Panel will look at each agency’s involvement in the case and might speak to family, friends and others who hold important information about the nature and extent of the abuse.
The Panel identifies what lessons are to be drawn from the case and how those lessons should be translated into recommendations for action based on the key findings.
Referral Process
If you believe that a case meets the criteria for a DARDR, please complete a DARDR Notification Form and email to BanesBCSSP@gov.uk. You will need to demonstrate how the criteria are fulfilled and provide as much information as possible to support this.
Before submitting the referral, please ensure you have discussed the notification with senior managers in your agency.
If you need any further support, please contact the BCSSP Business Unit at BanesBCSSP@gov.uk
Published Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews
2024