Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) - Scotland

‘Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review’

 

What is the aim of a Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review?

The main aim of a Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review is to learn from deaths where domestic abuse is known or suspected, to help stop these deaths and to help reduce domestic abuse. The review talks with the family, friends and other contacts of the victim and to the organisations that the victim may have sought help from. The review may also talk with other organisations which may help the review. This is a different type of review which focuses on learning as much as possible to stop these deaths and to prevent domestic abuse.  

What is a Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review?

A domestic homicide review or a domestic abuse related suicide review may happen after someone dies in circumstances related to domestic abuse.  A review helps us understand what happened and whether more could be done to protect and support those subjected to domestic abuse. This learning can be used to help prevent future deaths.      

A review looks at information from organisations that may have been in contact with the person who died, the person responsible for the death, or both.

It also draws on information from families, close friends, neighbours, employers, and colleagues.

A 'Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review' is not about blame. It is not an investigation into how someone died. The focus is on learning to help prevent domestic abuse and domestic abuse-related deaths.

Taking part is voluntary.

Family members and others who knew the person can choose how much or how little they want to be involved. Some may want to share detailed experiences. Others may prefer limited involvement, or none at all.  These choices will be respected throughout the review.    

Dedicated advocacy support is available for families and children from Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA). We are a charity and our services are free.

How AAFDA can help you with the Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review:

At AAFDA, we believe that families bereaved by domestic abuse deserve understanding, support, clear information and specialist advocacy. Alongside the grief of losing someone to domestic abuse, you may find yourself trying to make sense of what has happened and being involved in a Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review. AAFDA is expert in these reviews, and our advocacy is available to you during and after the review process. An advocate will support you with the review, they will listen to you, can help answer questions you may have about what is happening and be there for you to share your concerns if needed.  AAFDA will also provide advocacy and support for children.

We recognise that every bereavement is different and that involvement in a review may feel difficult. People can choose the level of involvement that feels right for them and can change this at any stage of the process.

Further information and support:

• Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews - Victims and witnesses - gov.scot
• Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review: resources - gov.scot

Support is also available from:

• Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse
• Victim Support Scotland — support for families bereaved by crime
• Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide 

Statutory Guidance:

Please click here to open the link to the guidance for Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews:

Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews in Scotland: Statutory Guidance - gov.scot

AAFDA’s services are free.

If you wish to have a chat, please call 07887 488464 or email help@aafda.org.uk