Domestic abuse related death guidance
What a Domestic Abuse Related Death Review (DARDR) is, who is responsible and what the process is.
About domestic homicide reviews
A domestic abuse-related death review (DARDR) takes place if someone aged over 16 has:
- died due to violence, abuse or neglect; and
- the perpetrator is a household member, relative or intimate partner
These were formerly known as Domestic Homicide Reviews.
In Brighton & Hove, the any agency can report any deaths to the Brighton & Hove Community Safety Partnership Board and the chair will decide whether a review should be undertaken.
The review allows agencies, such as the police, health service and local authority, to improve how they work together. They do this to reduce the risk of another death.
View the statutory guidance on the GOV.UK.
The purpose of a DARDR
DARDRs look at how local professionals and organisations can improve the way they work together. They can identify what needs to change to reduce the risk of a homicide happening again.
DARDRs aim to:
- establish what lessons are to be learned from the death 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 those lessons to service responses including changes to policies and procedures as appropriate
- help services work to prevent domestic violence and improve service responses for all domestic violence victims and their children through improved intra and inter-agency working
Useful resources
The Home Office has published a range of useful resources about DHRs, including leaflets for family, friends and employers.
The home office are also in the process of uploading all published DHR’s centrally.
Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AFFDA) provides emotional, practical and specialist peer support to those left behind after domestic homicide, as well as advice and training to professionals.
More information
For more information, send an email to VAWG.unit@brighton-hove.gov.uk.