The Department of Justice Has Today Published an Executive
Summary Report on a Review Carried out by a Domestic Homicide
Review Panel.
The Domestic Homicide Review Dhr) Panel Examined the
Circumstances Relating to the Death of Alyson Nelson.
The Dhr Panel Examining the Circumstances of the Death of Alyson
Has Made Three Recommendations for Action by the Psni, Doj and
Hsct.
The Report's Executive Summary States: Alyson Was a Much-loved
Mother, Friend, and Member of Her Community. She Died in Her
Home, a Place Where She Should Have Felt Safe. A Former Intimate
Partner Took Her Life. Alyson Was Another Victim of Femicide in
Northern Ireland, Her Death yet Another Example of Violence
Against Women.
The Threat of Harm Her Murderer Posed Pre-existed His
Relationship with Alyson. He Had Been Convicted of Both Intimate
Partner Violence and Family Violence. His Relationship with
Alyson Was Dominated by Coercive and Controlling Behaviours, and
Testimony Provided to the Review Describes His Misogynistic
Behaviour.
Alyson's Murder Highlights the Need to Focus on Interventions and
Education That Challenges Societal Attitudes Held by Men and Boys
About Women and Girls, and the Role This Plays in Relationships.
It Is the Dhr Panel's Intention That the Dhr Findings, and the
Implementation of Identified Actions, Will Reduce the Number of
Victims of Domestic Violence, Including Those Victims Who Are
Subject to Coercive and Controlling Behaviour.”
The Independent Review Panel for This Case Was Chaired by Anne
Marks.
Dhrs Are Intended to Promote Learning from Tragic Circumstances
in Order to Help Prevent Further Domestic Homicides, by Improving
Services and Supporting Families Who Are Living with Domestic
Abuse.
In Publishing the Executive Summary, the Department of Justice
Said Considerable Progress Is Underway by the Relevant Agencies
Towards the Implementation of Recommendations Made in the Dhr.
Domestic Homicide Reviews Are an Important Part of the Wider
Response to Domestic Abuse, Set out Under the Domestic and Sexual
Abuse Strategy.
The Executive Summary Report on the Domestic Homicide Review for
Alyson Has Been Published on the Department's
Website Domestic Homicide Review -
Alyson | 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; and
Iii. The Death Was Not Prior to December 2020.
3. 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.
4.The Aim of the Process Is About Learning in Order to Help
Prevent Further Domestic Homicides, by Improving Services and
Supporting Families Who Are Living with Domestic Abuse.
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.
