Preventing Future Deaths: Lessons Learned from Domestic Abuse Tragedies

In December 2025, the government unveiled a comprehensive strategy titled “Freedom from Violence and Abuse,” aimed at establishing a safer environment for women and girls. This initiative outlines a strategic framework and specific actions designed to achieve an ambitious goal: halving the incidence of violence against women and girls (VAWG) within a decade. A fundamental aspect of the strategy is the commitment to learning from tragic cases, ensuring that insights gained from incidents of abuse are integrated across various sectors. This approach aims to protect victims and ultimately prevent future fatalities.

Updated Guidance for Domestic Abuse Reviews

In line with this commitment, updated statutory guidance concerning Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDRs), previously referred to as Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs), has been released. DARDRs represent a vital opportunity for local and national agencies, as well as communities and society at large, to analyse each victim’s case individually, treating every death as preventable. The framework for these reviews is established under the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, which has been amended by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024. This amendment aligns the definition of domestic abuse with that of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and updates the nomenclature to better reflect the scope of the reviews, effective from Tuesday, 15 September.

Enhancing the Review Process

The government remains committed to the foundational principles of these reviews but has acknowledged the need for enhancements in their execution and the application of lessons learned. The new guidance prioritises the victims’ experiences, streamlines the administrative processes to foster a cohesive approach, and underscores the necessity of establishing oversight to drive significant changes for victims of domestic abuse.

Comprehensive Reform Initiatives

This revised guidance is part of a broader reform initiative led by the Home Office aimed at improving the overall DARDR process. Key components of this reform include:

• Legislative changes in Section 19 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, which not only rename the reviews but also clarify the criteria under which DARDRs can be commissioned. Consequently, DARDRs will be conducted whenever a death has, or appears to have, resulted from domestic abuse as defined in Section 1 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
• The establishment of a new Home Office Quality Assurance Board in 2025, designed to ensure that a greater number of reports are reviewed monthly, allowing Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) to receive feedback more promptly.
• A commitment to develop a new oversight mechanism for recommendations arising from DARDRs.
• Mandatory training for chairs of DARDRs, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to fulfil their roles effectively and uphold high standards.