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.
3. Testing the Model – Phase 2, Workshop 1
A facilitated workshop for a range of experts and stakeholders was held on 28 October 2025 in St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh. Including the two AAFDA facilitators (see Appendix 1 for information about AAFDA and the workshop facilitators), 29 participants attended including experts in undertaking domestic abuse related fatality reviews. Participants are listed in Appendix 2.
The overarching agreed objectives for the workshops were to:
- Achieve a facilitated walk through of the proposed Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review (DHSR) process
- Identify unique factors about the Scottish political, cultural context which may impede or enhance DHSRs
- Identify the strengths and limitations, issues or concerns for further action
- Support identification of gaps within the proposed Statutory Guidance
- Identify next steps.
The facilitators utilised group discussions throughout the day with a focus on different elements of the process of establishing a DHSR:
- Notification of a DHSR
- Establishing Terms of Reference for a DHSR
- Establishing a DHSR panel.
Handouts were provided to the groups which included excerpts relevant to the activity they were undertaking from the Bill’s explanatory notes, from the draft Statutory Guidance and from a paper from the Domestic Abuse Related Suicide Working Group. Example notification forms and example Terms of Reference documents from different jurisdictions were also provided to groups.
All groups were asked to complete a reflections log for each activity so that learning could be captured.
Contact
Email: dhsrmodel@gov.scot