Taking part in a Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review: information for friends
What a review is and how you can be involved.
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 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 involvement matters
Friends are often the best people to provide insight into what has happened.
You may have known your friend 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
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.
What happens if you decide to take part
The chair of the review panel will get in touch to agree how you might be able to contribute.
If you decide to provide your views the chair will:
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talk with you about your friend - 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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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 shared
Sharing your views can help the family of your friend and could help prevent other families experiencing loss.
You can also let the chair know if there are other people who may have useful information to share.
Protecting your privacy
Information you share will be treated with great care and sensitivity. 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 friend’. 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.
A summary of the review will be published on gov.scot, unless there is a legal reason why information cannot be published.
Review timescales
Most reviews aim to be completed within 12 months of being set up. Some take longer, depending on the circumstances.
Next steps
Thank you for taking the time to read this information.
If you have any questions or would like to take part in the review, 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