Policy background Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews
Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) are multi-agency reviews that identify and implement lessons learnt from deaths of those aged 16 or over which have, or appear to have, resulted from violence, abuse or neglect inflicted by someone to they are related to, in an intimate relationship with or live in the same household as. DHRs are legislated for via the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 and in 2016 the Government updated the statutory guidance to clarify a DHR should be commissioned when a person dies by suicide and the circumstances give rise to concern (for example, it emerges that there was coercive or controlling behaviour in the relationship).
	The Act inserts new section 8A which provides for Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews to replace Domestic Homicide Reviews under section 9 of the 2004 Act in England and Wales. It will bring the circumstances under which a Domestic Abuse Related Death Review is considered in England and Wales in line with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 definition of domestic abuse.
	The definition of domestic abuse set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 includes controlling or coercive behaviour, emotional abuse and economic abuse. It also clarifies that domestic abuse happens between individuals who are ‘personally connected’ via intimate or family relationships. Providing for a Domestic Abuse Related Death Review to be considered when a death has or appears to have resulted from domestic abuse as defined in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 has the intention of ensuring Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews contribute to understanding of domestic abuse, as well as encouraging consistency in decision making for reviews when domestic abuse has been identified. The provision would also prevent reviews from being commissioned when individuals are cohabiting but not personally connected.
	Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews can be commissioned following a homicide, a victim taking their own life after experiencing domestic abuse or in circumstances that are unexplained but give rise to concern. Providing for Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews aims to better reflect the range of deaths that are within scope of a review and to prevent confusion when conducting reviews into suicides or unexpected deaths. The previous name was problematic for some families bereaved by suicide linked to domestic abuse, particularly in the absence of charges or if the abuse was not disclosed to agencies.
	The Act makes consequential provision to ensure that Northern Ireland Domestic Homicide Reviews will continue to take place under section 9 of the 2004 Act.