Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs)

Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) were established on a statutory basis under Section 9 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act (2004).

This provision came into force on 13 April 2011. A DHR is a review of the circumstances in which the death of a person aged 16 or over has, or appears to have, resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by:

• A person to whom they were related or with whom they had been in an intimate personal relationship
• A member of the same household as themselves.

The purpose of a DHR is to:

1. establish what lessons are to be learned from the domestic homicide regarding the way in which local professionals and organisations work individually and together to safeguard victims;
2. 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;
3. apply these lessons to service responses including changes to inform national and local policies and procedures as appropriate;
4. prevent domestic violence and homicide and improve service responses for all domestic violence and abuse victims and their children by developing a co-ordinated multi-agency approach to ensure that domestic abuse is identified and responded to effectively at the earliest opportunity;
5. contribute to a better understanding of the nature of domestic violence and abuse; and
6. highlight good practice.

The Home Office's Statutory Guidance on DHRs can be found on the Gov.UK website.

Published Domestic Homicide Reviews for the Bradford Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership area, and relevant Home Office Quality Assurance Panel letters, can be found in 'Domestic Homicide Review publications - Bradford'.

Need help or advice?

For support in non-emergencies you can contact West Yorkshire Police on 101, and access advice and support from Staying Put.

If you are being forced to marry or are suffering abuse in the name of 'honour' Karmanirvana and the Forced Marriage Unit will be able to help.

If you are in immediate danger of harm always call 999.