Domestic abuse

Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews

A Domestic Abuse Related Death Review (DARDR) is a multi-agency review of the circumstances in which the death of a person aged 16 or over has, or appears to have, resulted from domestic abuse towards the person.

In practice, a DARDR must be considered in cases involving murder, manslaughter, suicide, neglect or deaths occurring in unexplained or unclear circumstances where the victim had experienced domestic abuse.

Previously known as Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs), these reviews are a statutory duty under section 8A(1) of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, as amended by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024. They were renamed Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews to more accurately reflect the full range of deaths linked to domestic abuse and the circumstances in which a review may be conducted. This includes suicides and other unexplained or concerning deaths where domestic abuse may have been a contributing factor.

A DARDR is not a criminal investigation and does not seek to apportion blame or determine criminal liability. The purpose of the DARDR is to identify learning from the actions taken, or not taken, by agencies and organisations that could have identified and managed any potential domestic abuse as a risk.

A DARDRs should be carried out in line with the statutory guidance.

Overall responsibility for establishing a review rests with the local Community Safety Partnership (CSP). Where the CSP considers that the criteria for a DARDR has been met, they will appoint an Independent Chair and establish a DARDR Review Panel.

An Overview Report will draw conclusions from the information obtained, make recommendations for future action and will be published in order for these lessons to be learned as widely and thoroughly as possible. All agencies involved have a responsibility to identify and disseminate common themes and trends across review reports, and act on any lessons identified to improve practice and safeguard victims.

The Domestic Abuse Commissioner's Office was set up in 2019. As part of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, it requires all CSPs to send in DARDR reviews to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner. This will help to identify lessons learnt and where gaps in provision have been identified. For further information see: Domestic Abuse Commissioner Website.

Current DHRs/DARDRs

The updated DARDR guidance applies to reviews where the notification of a death was received by the Community Safety Partnership after 15 September 2026. Any notifications received or reviews underway prior to the publication may continue to proceed under the previous DHR guidance.

Once a DHR/DARDR has been approved by the Home Office, the Chair will finalise the report, redact it as needed and work with the victim’s family before we can publish it. This can take some time as it’s really important we act sensitively.

Support

• Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse provide specialist and expert advocacy and peer support
• GOV.uk has information available to support family and friends

Last updated 18 September 2026