Proposed domestic homicide and suicide review model: phase two/workshop one – SG response

Scottish Government Response

Acknowledgements

The Scottish Government would like to thank Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) and all participants for their valuable contributions to the Phase Two/ Workshop One on establishing and testing a Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review (DHSR) Model for Scotland. The perspectives offered by all involved will be instrumental in shaping a strong, responsive, and effective learning review system.

Purpose

Phase Two, Workshop One was held on 28^th of October 2025, with the overarching objectives of providing a guided walkthrough of the proposed DHSR model with the session focusing on establishing a domestic homicide or suicide review. The walkthrough assessed the strengths, limitations and gaps, and identified aspects requiring further action.

Scottish Government Response

The published AAFDA report on Phase Two, Workshop One highlighted learning related to the notification process, the development of Terms of Reference for DHSRs, and the establishment of Case Review Panels, alongside broader considerations around information sharing and data protection. In response, the Scottish Government would like to note the following points:

Notification of a DHSR

The Scottish Government welcome the suggestions on improving clarity and accessibility in the notification process. Work is currently underway to develop:

• Clear Statutory Guidance for both notifying bodies and family members or next of kin, including guidance on what constitutes relevant information for the purposes of a notification;
• A consistent notification form across review types, allowing for contextual details such as relationships, employment/ education, and parallel reviews to be captured; and
• A proposal to provide advocacy support for families where a DHSR is undertaken, along with comprehensive informational resources outlining each step of the DHSR process for families initiating or participating in a review.

The Scottish Government agree that over-notifying is preferable to under-notifying in the early stages of undertaking domestic homicide and suicide reviews, and will ensure that the published guidance reflects this principle.

Setting the Terms of Reference for a DHSR

The Scottish Government acknowledge the need for clarity on how existing reviews will interact with DHSRs and criminal justice processes. Through the work to develop the model we will ensure that:

• Learning reviews are joined up where this is possible;
• Clear instruction is provided through the Statutory Guidance and the Protocol with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and Police Scotland on managing parallel justice processes and information sharing; and
• The Terms of Reference for every review outline the purpose of the review, any parallel reviews, the approach to engaging with families and next of kin, the principles of information sharing, and any expectations related to media engagement.

Establishing an Effective Case Review Panel

The Scottish Government agree that flexibility in panel composition is essential to ensure relevant competence and specialist expertise. Work is currently underway to ensure that the Statutory Guidance will:

• Clarify decision-making on panel membership and the process for adding or changing members as new information emerges;
• Include guidance on survivor input and the process for requesting specialist expertise; and
• Clarify the management of communication with families and next of kin, and define responsibilities related to communication with the accused/ perpetrator or an individual of interest in a suicide case.

Data Protection and Publication of Reports

The Scottish Government acknowledge the concerns about data protection and secure handling of sensitive personal information. In consultation with the Information Commissioner’s Office, and through the work of the Information Governance Delivery Group under the Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review Taskforce, the Taskforce agreed the following in relation to information sharing and data protection:

• Data sharing agreements or data requests will clearly set out the lawful bases for information sharing and the requirements for collecting and processing only the information that is deemed relevant for the purposes of the review;
• Only secure systems will be used for storing and transferring information;
• For individual case review reports, only an executive summary report –including learning and recommendations – will be published, with the opportunity for family members and the next of kin to provide input into the drafting of the executive summary and discuss the findings from the review; and
• A data review period of 21 years will be adopted for all source information used to inform the learning review.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Scottish Government agree that intersectionality and socio-economic factors must be considered, alongside protected characteristics, in the learning review process. Work is currently underway to ensure that:

• The Statutory Guidance will embed these principles for consistency and identifying any relevant patterns that could further inform policy development and;
• The core requirements for all roles that will be involved in undertaking domestic homicide and suicide reviews in Scotland – developed by the Workforce and Training Task and Finish Group under the Taskforce in collaboration with individuals with lived experience –reflect the critical importance of having knowledge of domestic abuse and intersectionality.

Training and Continuous Improvement

The Scottish Government recognise the importance of ensuring high-quality, comprehensive initial and ongoing training for the Chair, Deputy Chair, and members of the Review Oversight Committee, as well as the Chairs and members of Case Review Panels, among others. Work is currently underway to:

• Undertake a public procurement for the development and delivery of training to all those involved in the domestic homicide and suicide review process;
• Ensure that the training is consistently updated with any changes in legislation, guidance, or practice; and
• Establish mechanisms for reflective practice and continuous improvement, including an evaluation of early reviews.

Next Steps

The feedback from this workshop will inform the drafting of the Statutory Guidance and the continued development of the DHSR model. Further testing workshops, culminating with a mock review, will provide additional opportunities for refinement.

The Scottish Government extends its sincere thanks again to AAFDA and all participants who contributed their valuable insights during Phase Two, Workshop One, which focused on testing the proposed Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review (DHSR) Model for Scotland.