About this page. This page summarises a Domestic Homicide Review published in the Home Office DHR Library. The full report is available at the source link below. Victim and perpetrator names are not included in extracted summaries on this page.
Source · Domestic Homicide Review
Western Suffolk review
CSP: Western Suffolk
Published: May 2023
Year of death: 2017
Extracted: 7 recs
Statutory domestic homicide review under section 9 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. Source: Home Office DHR Library.
View full report (PDF) ↗
Source: Home Office DHR Library
Summary
The review identified missed opportunities by health agencies to recognise and respond to long-term domestic abuse, a lack of professional curiosity, and the victim's isolation and fear, which hindered her from seeking support. It also noted past issues with police response and inappropriate media reporting.
Extracted recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressed to |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1.1 | It is recommended that domestic abuse training for primary care providers covers the importance of asking the question about how things are at home in all health appointments particularly for frequent attenders and that they know what to do when a disclosure is made including appropriate signposting to support services. | West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group |
| 4.1.2 | It is recommended that the Clinical Commissioning Group co-ordinate an action to explore the possibilities of flagging on GP records when incidence of domestic violence, (both for victim and perpetrator where there are no children under the age of 18 at home), led to police interventions or acute medical assessment and/or treatment. | West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group |
| 4.1.3 | It is recommended that the Clinical Commissioning Group works with partners to explore possibilities of flagging domestic abuse concerns on a partner’s primary care record- where an individual discloses that they are a victim of domestic abuse or they disclose they have displayed domestic abuse related behaviours towards their partner. | West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group |
| 4.1.4 | It is recommended that the Clinical Commissioning Group implements the Safeguarding Adults Board Suffolk Safeguarding Adults Framework training for all primary care and healthcare providers across Suffolk and that primary care participate in the Safeguarding Adults Board county wide audit on effectiveness of this. | West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group |
| 4.2.1 | It is recommended that hospital psychiatric liaison assessment, support and advice is accessible when a victim or perpetrator of domestic abuse presents at A&E, particularly following attempted suicide or drug overdose. This is to facilitate access to appropriate services even where an individual is not presenting as mentally unwell. | Suffolk Hospitals |
| 4.3.1 | It is recommended that Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership continues with its efforts to raise awareness about domestic abuse and support that is available. This publicity should seek to particularly target women over 50 years of age. | Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership |
| 4.4.1 | It is recommended that Suffolk County Council, in conjunction with the Community Safety Partnerships, engages with local media to ensure that they are aware of these guidelines and seek to secure a commitment from them to work within these in future reporting. | Suffolk County Council | Community Safety Partnerships |
| Recommendations extracted from the published report. Source: Home Office DHR Library. View full report ↗ | ||