The purpose of a domestic abuse related death review (DARDR) is to consider the circumstances that led to the death and identify where responses to the situation could be improved in the future. In so doing, the lessons learned can be taken on board by the professionals and agencies involved, such as the police, social services, councils, and other community based organisations.
A review panel, made up of members of local statutory and voluntary agencies and led by an independent chair, is commissioned to undertake the DARDR. This panel will examine each agency’s review of their own involvement in the case and consider recommendations to improve responses to domestic violence in the future. They will also have the chance to hear from family, friends and work colleagues who may be able to help us understand the impact of agency’s involvement with the victim or the perpetrator.
Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews are not inquiries into how someone died or who is to blame. They are not part of any disciplinary process. They do not replace, but will be in addition to, an inquest or any other form of inquiry into the homicide. In this way, agencies will improve their responses to domestic violence and work better together to prevent such tragedies occurring in the future. We will publish the reports and findings of these reviews on this website as they become available..
In June 2023 the Home Office launched a public consultation, one element of which sought responses in regard to the naming of Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs). The consultation considered whether the term ‘homicide’ should be amended in DHRs to reflect the range of the deaths which fall within the scope of a review, such as suicides related to domestic abuse, and other domestic abuse related deaths.
This was in response to feedback that the term ‘homicide’ can be confusing for bereaved families and friends as well as practitioners when reviewing a case that has not been ruled a homicide.
Following the consultation, the Home Office confirmed that DHRs would be renamed to Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDRs). The name change has been confirmed at Part 1 Section 19 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.
Referral for a DARDR will normally come from the Police following a death. However, any family member or professional may refer a case to be considered for review if they believe there are important lessons for inter-agency working to be learned.
Safer Cornwall DARDR Toolkit provides step by step information on the DARDR process with template forms, including the DARDR Referral Form.
