Domestic Homicide Review executive summary published – ‘Marcella’
Date published:
The Department of Justice has today published an executive summary report on a review carried out by a Domestic Homicide Review Panel.
The Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) Panel examined the circumstances relating to the death of ‘Marcella’, a pseudonym used to protect the identity of the victim.
The DHR Panel examining the circumstances of the death of Marcella has made 10 recommendations, including three recommendations that had been made in relation to other DHRs but which were also relevant in relation to this case.
A further 23 recommendations were made by agencies involved in the DHR after they identified opportunities where practices could be improved.
The report’s executive summary states: “Domestic violence is everyone’s responsibility. It is a child protection issue; an equality issue; and a human rights issue.
“It is the DHR Panel’s intention that organisations will learn from Marcella’s experiences, that dangerous behaviours and patterns are more readily identified and appropriate measures adopted in order to better protect others.
“It is also the DHR Panel’s intention that the recommended actions will give the public the confidence to continue to come forward, to help victims, knowing that organisations are listening and that changes have been made.”
The independent review panel for this case was chaired by Anne Marks.
DHRs are intended to promote learning from tragic circumstances in order to help prevent further domestic homicides, by improving services and supporting families who are living with domestic abuse.
In publishing the executive summary, the Department of Justice said considerable progress is underway by the relevant agencies towards the implementation of recommendations made in the DHR.
Domestic Homicide Reviews are an important part of the wider response to domestic abuse, set out under the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy.
The executive summary report on the Domestic Homicide Review for ‘Marcella’ has been published on the Department’s website Domestic Homicide Review - Marcella | Department of Justice
Notes to editors:
1. Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) were introduced in Northern Ireland in December 2020 under Section 9 of the Domestic Violence, Crimes and Victims Act 2004 (the 2004 Act).
2. A DHR may only be considered when it may result in identifying lessons to be learned and within the following circumstances:
i. The deceased person is aged 16 or over;
ii. The death has or appears to have resulted from violence, abuse or neglect, which has been caused by:
- a person to whom the victim was related, or
- a person with whom they had been in an intimate personal relationship with, or
- a member of the same household; and
iii. The death was not prior to December 2020.
3. DHRs are carried out by an independent Chair with the support of a panel of representatives from statutory and voluntary and community organisations, who gather and review information pertinent to the case.
4.The aim of the process is about learning in order to help prevent further domestic homicides, by improving services and supporting families who are living with domestic abuse.
5. Given the personal information and sensitivities contained within this review, pseudonyms have been used to help protect the identity of individuals and, in particular, children. While it may be possible to identify the specific case from information provided, given the relatively small population of Northern Ireland, the Department is mindful of endeavouring to ensure individuals’ privacy is respected.
6. The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline can be contacted free of charge, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0808 802 1414 or email help@dsahelpline.org. For more information visit www.dsahelpline.org(external link opens in a new window / tab)
7. Media enquiries for the Department of Justice should be directed via email.
8. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110.