The Department of Justice has today published a summary report on
a review carried out by a Domestic Homicide Review Panel.
Domestic Homicide Reviews are carried out by an independent Chair
with the support of a panel of representatives from statutory and
voluntary and community organisations, who gather and review
information pertinent to the case.
The aim of the process is about learning in an effort to improve
services and support families who are living with domestic abuse.
The Domestic Homicide Review Panel examined the circumstances
relating to the death of ‘Pamela', a pseudonym used to protect
the identity of the victim.
The Domestic Homicide Review Panel has made seven recommendations
- three of which are applicable to the Department, including
delivering an annual public awareness programme highlighting the
nature of coercive control.
The report's executive summary states: “Pamela's death should act
as a reminder that domestic homicide can happen even when there
have been no reports of abuse. It is essential that we do all we
can to learn from her death, adopting a professionally curious
approach to help identify and manage risk as effectively and
robustly as possible.”
Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) are carried out by an
independent Chair with the support of a panel of representatives
from statutory and voluntary and community organisations, who
gather and review information pertinent to the case.
The aim of the process is about learning in an effort to improve
services and support families who are living with domestic abuse.
The independent review panel for this case included a range of
representatives from organisations including Women's Aid, Health
& Social Care Trusts, Police Service of Northern Ireland
(PSNI), Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) and the
Department of Health's Strategic Planning and Performance Group
(formerly the Health and Social Care Board) and was chaired by
Jan Melia.
The Executive Summary report on the Domestic Homicide Review
for ‘Pamela' has been published on the Department's
website Conclusion of Domestic
Homicide Review - Pamela | Department of Justice
Notes to editors:
1. Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) were introduced in
Northern Ireland in December 2020 under Section 9 of the Domestic
Violence, Crimes and Victims Act 2004 (the 2004 Act).
2. A DHR may only be considered when it may result in
identifying lessons to be learned and within the following
circumstances:
i. The deceased person is aged 16 or over;
ii. The death has or appears to have resulted from violence,
abuse or neglect, which has been caused by:
- A person to whom the victim was related, or
- A person with whom they had been in an intimate personal
relationship with, or
- A member of the same household.
- The death was not prior to December 2020.
3. Reports are produced by the independent DHR Panel Chair
at the request of the Department of Justice.
4. Other relevant statutory agencies may also have
progressed work to address the report's recommendations.
5. Given the personal information and sensitivities
contained within this Review, pseudonyms have been used to help
protect the identity of individuals and, in particular, children.
While it may be possible to identify the specific case from
information provided, given the relatively small population of
Northern Ireland, the Department is mindful of endeavouring to
ensure individuals' privacy is respected.
