The Potential and Peril of Reviewing Domestic Homicides and Domestic Abuse-Related Deaths

Considering the potential and peril of Domestic Abuse-Related Death Reviews (DARDRs) in England and Wales as a way of learning from domestic abuserelated deaths, this book examines what DARDRs - first known as Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) - are understood as being for, what is used by and in DARDRs, and how DARDRs are themselves used.

Drawing on rich empirical data, this text combines information gathered from published DARDRs as well as from the experiences of stakeholders, including representatives from organisations who had contact with a victim, and those who knew them personally. This analysis is further underpinned by the author’s distinct perspective as a practitioner, which includes having led DARDRs as an independent chair. Setting out an approach that frames the review of domestic abuse-related deaths as a means of achieving justice, the book addresses best practice in making sense of domestic abuse-related deaths, the efforts to drive practice, policy and systems change, and the memorialisation of victims, with a view to improving responses to domestic abuse for all victims, survivors and, perhaps, to prevent future deaths.

The Potential and Peril of Reviewing Domestic Abuse- Related Deaths will be of great interest to students and scholars of criminology, social work, and sociology, as a way of understanding the policy and practice of trying to make sense of and respond to domestic abuse-related deaths.

James Rowlands is Assistant Professor in Sociology at Durham University. His research focuses on domestic abuse, specifically domestic homicide and domestic abuse-related deaths by suicide, as well as fatality review systems and femicide. James has also worked as an independent chair of Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews in England and Wales.