Proposed domestic homicide and suicide review model: phase two/workshop one report
Report of the phase two, part one of the testing of the proposed domestic homicide and suicide review model for Scotland. The testing event focused on the establishing of a domestic homicide and suicide review. The report summarises the strengths, limitations and gaps of this part of the model.
1. Background
On 7 October 2025 the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed the Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill.
Part 2 of the Bill sets out a statutory framework for a national system of Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews. The purpose of such reviews would be to identify what lessons can be learned following a death where abuse is known or suspected, with the aim of helping to prevent future abuse and deaths. The Bill also creates an oversight committee and case review panels to undertake and manage the reviews.
Work on development of the review model and in turn, the Bill has involved significant collaborative working with stakeholders across the sector through the Scottish Government led Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review Taskforce[1], a programme of targeted engagement and consultation[2] and engagement with wider stakeholders, those with lived experience of domestic abuse and those bereaved by it. This collaboration has been a fundamental cornerstone to the development of the legislation and the wider model.
Contact
Email: dhsrmodel@gov.scot