Domestic Homicide Review Committees’ Recommendations and Impacts: A Systematic Review

Jones, Cassandra; Bracewell, Kelly; Clegg, Andrew; Stanley, Nicky; Chantler, Khatidja

doi:10.1177/10887679221081788

Cited by 9 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…This is because domestic abuse-related deaths can be difficult to identify (Fairbairn et al, 2019). First, it can be difficult to determine what role domestic abuse may have played in a death by suicide (Jones et al, 2022). This is because, while there are established links between domestic abuse and suicidality, a direct causal contribution is hard to establish (McManus et al, 2022;Munro & Aitken, 2020).…”

Section: S-dardrs Are Under Conceptualisedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, effectively, S-DARDRs -unlike DHRs -are usually de-moored from the criminal justice system. Moreover, while a coroner may reach a verdict of suicide where there is sufficient evidence to suggest a victim intended to take their own life, such a determination may be challenging in terms of establishing a domestic abuse link (Jones et al, 2022). However, as with criminal justice, this may change: a coroner recently made this link when, for the first time in a coronial inquest, domestic abuse was identified as having a causal role in the death of Jessica 'Jessie' Laverack (Keynejad et al, 2022).…”

Section: S-dardrs Are (Usually) De-moored From the Criminal Justice S...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Together, these examples speak to the potential value of a broad review panel membership (Websdale, 2020). Such breadth should include specialist services -including led by and for services -who can bring knowledge and expertise relating to a victim's specific experiences and needs (Jones et al, 2022;Montique, 2019), for example around the impact of migration. There is therefore a need to consolidate best practices in the constitution of review panels.…”

Section: The Review Panelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Meanwhile, given the growing number of S-DARDRs, there is an opportunity to share learning in aggregate. To date, the absence of a national repository to hold DHRs/S-DARDRs has been identified as a significant concern (Montique, 2019;Sharp-Jeffs & Kelly, 2016), despite being long recommended as a tool to aid learning (Jones et al, 2022). However, as part of the DA plan, a repository is being developed (HM Government, 2022), although its final shape and functionality remain unclear.…”

Section: Publication and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Challenges and Opportunities of Reviewing Domestic Abuse-Related Deaths by Suicide in England and Wales

Rowlands

Dangar²

2023

J Fam Viol

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Purpose In England and Wales, Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) are conducted into domestic abuse-related killings. In 2016, deaths by suicide were brought into the scope of this review system and, to distinguish them from reviews into domestic homicides, we describe these as ‘Suicide Domestic Abuse-Related Death Reviews’ (S-DARDR). To date, S-DARDRs have been little considered and, in response, this empirical paper seeks to unpack this process. Method In a larger study, 40 DHR participants were interviewed, and a reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken. 18 participants discussed S-DARDRs. These interviews were re-read, with relevant extracts identified and re-analysed thematically. Through a shared critical reflection, we drew on our practice experience to interrogate the themes generated from the interviews and offer insight into the underlying challenges. Results From the interviews, we generated four themes relating to commissioning and delivery; the involvement of stakeholders; intersections with other statutory processes; and purpose. Based on our shared critical reflection, we identified the underlying challenges as an under conceptualisation of S-DARDRs, alongside their de-mooring from the criminal justice system. Taken together, these challenges have implications for the conduct of S-DARDRs. We identify recommendations for policy and practice to address these challenges. Conclusion The development of S-DARDRs has been little considered and challenges arise around when and how they should be undertaken. A shared understanding of key concepts and expectations around delivery is necessary if S-DARDRs are to enable robust learning and be a driver for systems change while also being accessible and understood by all stakeholders.

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Section: S-dardrs Are Under Conceptualisedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: S-dardrs Are (Usually) De-moored From the Criminal Justice S...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Review Panelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Publication and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Challenges and Opportunities of Reviewing Domestic Abuse-Related Deaths by Suicide in England and Wales

Rowlands

Dangar²

2023

J Fam Viol

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“…Concerns include, for example, the problematic recording of ethnicity data (Benbow et al, 2019;Chantler et al, 2020). Reflecting this, a systematic review examining 11 DHR/DVFR studies reported a common recommendation for standardised data collection (Jones et al, 2022). Another concern is the potential tensions around decision-making arising from differing disciplinary perspectives and/or power (Albright et al, 2013;Dale et al, 2017).…”

Section: Utilising Dhrs For Research Purposesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inside the black box: domestic homicide reviews as a source of data

Rowlands

Bracewell

2022

Journal of Gender-Based Violence

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Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) are a statutory review process to better understand domestic homicide in England and Wales. As a policy intervention, DHRs are intended to build a picture of the circumstances before such deaths and identify gaps in practice, policy and system response. The rationale is that this learning can improve response to domestic violence and abuse and reduce the likelihood of future homicides. However, little is known about how the DHR process operates, including how knowledge is produced or its subsequent use, including any outcomes. In effect, for the most part, DHRs are a ‘black box’. Yet, researchers are increasingly using DHR reports as a source of data. By locating ourselves within these processes, this article explores the implications of limited engagement with DHRs as a process of knowledge generation to date. It focuses on the implications for researchers, in particular the epistemological and methodological issues that arise, before considering what this might mean for policy and practice. It identifies recommendations to address key gaps in the understanding and use of DHRs for research purposes. Key messages Recognise the potential and challenges of using DHR reports as data. Consider the everyday work processes associated with the production of DHR reports. Concepts in DHRs must be clearly defined to enable robust data collection. Develop a feedback loop between research and practice so each can benefit from and inform the other.

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Parallels in Practice: Applying Principles of Research Integrity and Ethics in Domestic Violence Fatality Review (DVFR)

et al. 2023

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Purpose Within the context of the big data society, new systems of data collection on domestic violence and abuse (DVA) have emerged. One such system is Domestic Violence Fatality Review (DVFR) which captures the various dimensions of gender, violence, and abuse required to form an evidence base for prevention. However, to date, there has been limited dialogue between practitioners and researchers about the ‘doing’ of DVFRs. Method As DVFR systems vary by jurisdiction, we conducted a case study of Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) in England and Wales. Applying the Research Integrity Framework (RIF) developed by the four Women’s Aid Federations in the United Kingdom (UK), this article examines both the practice of DHR and how it is utilised as data in research. Results Informed by our situated perspectives as researchers and/or practitioners working in the field, our analysis demonstrates how undertaking DHR as a practitioner parallels collecting, accessing, and analysing data from DHRs as a researcher. Guiding principles are identified to help practitioners and researchers navigate the parallel challenges they confront and, critically, inform dialogue between practice and research. Conclusions Implications for both professional practice and research are presented. To increase transparency and confidence, we argue that more attention should be afforded to the methodological and ethical issues inherent in both the practice of DHRs, and their utilisation as a source of data in research. While DHRs have differences to DVFRs in other jurisdictions, these findings also have implications for these other systems which will also be discussed.

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Domestic Homicide Review Committees’ Recommendations and Impacts: A Systematic Review

Cited by 9 publications

References 46 publications

The Challenges and Opportunities of Reviewing Domestic Abuse-Related Deaths by Suicide in England and Wales

The Challenges and Opportunities of Reviewing Domestic Abuse-Related Deaths by Suicide in England and Wales

Inside the black box: domestic homicide reviews as a source of data

Parallels in Practice: Applying Principles of Research Integrity and Ethics in Domestic Violence Fatality Review (DVFR)

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