Domestic homicide review into the death of Mrs A

Approved for publication in February 2014

Summary

Unlawful killing of Mrs A by her husband. The panel concluded that the homicide was not predictable on the basis of the information available at the time and it does not appear that there were any specific weaknesses or errors that might have affected the likelihood of the homicide occurring.

Issues identified

The review only had limited information about Mrs and Mr A, and there was an absence of information from Mrs A herself. As a result the panel was unable to rule in or out the presence of domestic violence or abuse, but did identify broader learning relating to older women and their experience of domestic abuse.

Lessons learned

The importance of ensuring that local residents have information about support services so they are able to access these when appropriate; the challenge of working with individuals where help is not sought, particularly where there is no other information at the time that might have lead to a safeguarding referral or concern; the importance of timely discharge notifications to ensure that health needs are managed appropriately; better understanding of the issues for older women who experience, or may be at risk of, domestic violence or abuse, including barriers to disclosure and service responses; the importance of professional curiosity so that professionals have a sense of service users as ‘real people’ to inform their engagement with services.

Actions we're taking

Reviewing how to raise awareness about elder abuse or domestic violence or abuse among older residents; Ensuring professionals know how to identify and assess older people at risk, have adequate training to do so, in relation to domestic violence and abuse and safeguarding adults; Reviewing provision by specialist domestic abuse services so they are able to consistently address the needs of older people where appropriate; Ensuring that discharge notifications from Hospital to General Practitioners are timely.

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