Fatal domestic violence

Information on what happens when someone is killed as a result of domestic violence in H&F.

When someone is killed as a result of domestic violence, the law says that professionals involved in the case must review what happened so that the council can identify what needs to be changed and reduce the risk of it happening again in the future.

Guidance on when councils need to set up a domestic homicide review (DHR) and how to do it are published on the Home Office website. DHRs are not inquiries into how the victim died or into who is responsible. The purpose of a DHR is to understand where there are lessons learned and to make recommendations to prevent future homicides.

H&F have designed a DHR protocol (pdf 211KB) that guides professionals through the process of commissioning and conducting a DHR.

If a domestic homicide takes place in Hammersmith and Fulham, the police immediately inform the Chair of the Community Safety Partnership. The Community Safety Partnership will decide whether a DHR will take place, and if so, appoint an independent chair and report writer. All of the information shared for the review is confidential until it has been approved and published.

Family members, friends and colleagues of the victim are important to the DHR process. The independent chair will aim to make contact with friends and family, to enable them to inform the review and build a complete view of the victim.

Domestic homicide reviews in Hammersmith & Fulham

If you would like any further information about domestic homicide reviews locally, please contact:

Community safety unit

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