Domestic homicide reviews

A Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) is a multi-agency 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 were, or had been, in an intimate personal relationship, or a member of the same household as themselves.

Since 13 April 2011, there has been a statutory requirement for local areas to conduct a DHR following a domestic homicide that meets the criteria.

The multi-agency statutory guidance (PDF, 447 KB)(opens new window), published by the Home Office in December 2016, provides information on the purpose of a domestic homicide review, conducting a review, involving families and friends and the importance of having a representative review panel.

Common themes and trends in domestic homicide and recommendations on how local areas can use this information to prevent domestic abuse can be found in the key findings from analysis of domestic homicide reviews document (PDF, 1 MB), published December 2016.

Gateshead Context

Within Gateshead, we have carried out the following domestic homicide reviews:

Adult A

Gateshead Community Safety Board have completed a review into the death of Adult A. The Executive Summary and Home Office approval letter are available below.

Adult B - 'Cathy'

Gateshead Community Safety Board have completed a review into the death of 'Cathy'. The Executive Summary and Home Office approval letter are available below.

Alice Ruggles

Gateshead Community Safety Board have completed a review into the death of Alice Ruggles. The final overview, action plan and response letter are available below. You can find more information on this review on the domestic homicide review into the death of Alice Ruggles page.