Taking part in a Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review: information for families
What a review is, how your family can be involved, and what support is available to you.
What a review is
A review may be carried out when someone dies and domestic abuse was known or suspected to be involved.
A review helps us understand what happened and whether more could be done to protect and support those subjected to domestic abuse.
A review is not about blame. It is not an investigation into how someone died. The focus is on learning to help prevent domestic abuse and related deaths.
Where it is decided that a review is necessary, it is required by law. This means it will take place whether you decide to take part or not.
Why your family's involvement matters
You may have known your family member in a way that no one else did. Your knowledge and memories can help the review understand what their life was like, what was important to them and what they went through.
You may be able to share what you know about the domestic abuse they experienced and any difficulties they faced when trying to get help.
Your involvement can help make sure the review leads to real change.
You are in control.
Taking part is your choice. You can decide:
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how you would like to be involved
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when you feel ready to share information
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whether you want to receive updates as the review progresses
You can change your mind at any point. If you start taking part and later decide you need to step back, that is completely fine.
Support is available to you
You do not have to go through this alone. An independent advocate from Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse can support you throughout the process. They can:
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listen to you
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help answer your questions
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make sure the review chair knows about any concerns you have
What happens if you decide to take part
Before the review begins, the chair of the review panel will get in touch with you. They will arrange to meet you somewhere you feel comfortable.
At the meeting, the chair will:
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talk with you about your family member - who they were and what they meant to you
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explain how the review works and how you can be involved
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tell you how any information you share will be used
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ask about your preferred way of staying in touch
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answer any questions you have
You can choose how you share information with the chair - through a conversation, in writing, or in another way that works for you. The chair may be accompanied by a team member who will make sure your points are captured.
How your input will be used
Your insights will help shape the focus of the review. The chair will share a document called a ‘terms of reference’ with you, which sets out what the review will look at. You can suggest anything you think should be added.
You can also let the chair know if there are other people - such as close friends or colleagues - who may have useful information to share.
Protecting your privacy
The chair will work with you to agree what goes into the review report.
You will not be named in the report. It may refer to your input as coming from ‘a family member’. If that does not feel right, the chair will work with you to find a way of referring to your contribution that you are comfortable with. It may state: ‘the review has learned...’ without giving a source.
The chair will also explain what may appear in any published summary of the review.
The review report
Once the review panel has gathered all the information it needs, it will produce a report.
Before the report is finalised, you will have the chance to:
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meet with the chair to go through the draft report
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check it for accuracy
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check if there is other information that should be added
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discuss the recommendations
If you are not satisfied with anything in the report, the chair will work with you to try to resolve this.
Publishing the review
A summary of each completed review will be published on gov.scot, unless there is a legal reason why information cannot be published.
The chair will agree the publication date with the family.
Review timescales
Most reviews aim to be completed within 12 months of being set up. Some take longer, depending on the circumstances. The chair will keep you updated throughout the process, in the way and at the frequency that you choose.
Next steps
Thank you for taking the time to read this information.
If you have any questions about the review process or want to find out more about the support available for families and children, you can email: dhsrmodel@gov.scot.
Support is available from:
We understand that every bereavement is different. Involvement in a review can feel emotionally difficult.
You can choose the level of involvement that feels right for you and change this at any stage.
“We can’t change the past for them, but their legacy will change the future for others.”
- Fiona Drouet, bereaved mother, founder and Chief Executive of EmilyTest.
Contact
Email: dhsrmodel@gov.scot