What is a domestic homicide review?
A domestic homicide review is carried out when someone has died as a result of domestic abuse, violence or neglect.
The review helps organisations understand what happened, identify any lessons that can be learned, and improve the support provided to people affected by domestic abuse.
By law, local agencies may be required to carry out a review following these types of deaths.
When is a review carried out?
A review may take place when the death involves a person aged 16 or over and appears to have resulted from abuse, violence or neglect by:
- A current or former partner.
- A family member.
- Someone living in the same household.
What is the purpose of a domestic homicide review?
A domestic homicide review is not a criminal investigation and does not decide who was responsible for the death.
Instead, it aims to:
- Understand whether there are lessons that can be learned.
- Review how organisations worked individually and together to support the victim.
- Identify improvements to services, policies and procedures.
- Strengthen partnership working between agencies.
- Help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
- Improve support for victims of domestic abuse and their families.
Reviews in East Hampshire
To date, one domestic homicide review has been completed in East Hampshire.
The review concluded that the circumstances leading to this tragic death could not have been predicted.
While the findings may help services identify and respond to domestic abuse more effectively in future, the review did not identify any actions that would have prevented this death.
The review has been completed and shared with the relevant organisations.