Two Domestic Homicide Review reports published
Date published:
The Department of Justice has today published Executive Summary reports of two Domestic Homicide Reviews.
The Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) Panel examined the circumstances relating to the deaths of ‘Anthony’ and ‘Laura’, pseudonyms used to protect the identities of the victims.
In the case of ‘Anthony’, the DHR panel made 54 recommendations, while the panel which examined the circumstances of the death of ‘Laura’ made 14 recommendations.
The Executive Summary of the DHR carried out into the death of ‘Anthony’ said: “Anthony’s life was quite extraordinary, and his case provides us with a unique learning opportunity to learn more about the barriers to services facing male victims, victims with a disability and victims from Traveller communities.
“Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, and we must be aware of stereotyping and the potential for unconscious bias when working with victims.
“Training and awareness raising of domestic abuse that focuses on diverse groups of victims is essential.”
The Executive Summary of the DHR carried out into the death of ‘Laura’ said: “The purpose of DHRs is to identify lessons, and the starting point for all reviews is to ask how we can learn from what happened to help prevent and address domestic abuse.
“In this case, the learning is about how we engage with victims/potential victims of abuse; how we listen to, record, and share their experience of abuse, ensuring effective communication with one another as professionals, and with victims and their families.
“Mental health is another area for learning in this case.”
The independent review panels for both cases were chaired by Jan Melia.
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.
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 reports on the DHR for ‘Anthony’ and ‘Laura’ have been published on the Department’s website:
https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/publications/domestic-homicide-review-anthony
https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/publications/domestic-homicide-review-laura
Notes to editors:
1. Anthony and Laura are both pseudonyms.
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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)(external link opens in a new window / tab)
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