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
Cheltenham review
CSP: Cheltenham
Published: June 2023
Extracted: 29 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
Agencies consistently failed to recognise high-risk domestic abuse indicators, including strangulation and coercive control, and did not robustly challenge the perpetrator's behaviour. There was a lack of consistent policy, training, and information sharing, leading to the victim's loss of faith in support services.
Extracted recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressed to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The force to advocate and include in policy that a high risk marker/flag should be recorded against a High Risk offender who has come to the attention of police through a DA incident where strangulation is alleged. | Gloucestershire Constabulary |
| 1 | Each public-sector agency that is represented on the DHR panel and on Cheltenham Strategic Leadership Group (SLG), will adopt a domestic abuse policy and procedures, based on a county-wide template, to guide how their agencies responds to domestic abuse and stalking. VCS agencies will also be encouraged to adopt a domestic abuse policy. | DHR panel agencies | Cheltenham Strategic Leadership Group | VCS agencies |
| 10 | Police should use their professional judgement and consider all options available to them when attending calls for help in cases of domestic abuse. The police have a number of actions available to them, all of which would be aided by meticulous evidence gathering at the time. The use of evidence gathering aides, such as body worn cameras should be discussed within the Constabulary | Police |
| 11 | The specialist domestic abuse court should be staffed by professionals with enhanced training in domestic abuse and coercive control. This would include the prosecutors, magistrates, judges and supporting personnel. | Specialist domestic abuse court |
| 12 | There should be an assessment of the needs of children and young people where Domestic Abuse has occurred and this should be part of any risk assessment. It is considered that there is a need for specialist group and individual programmes which would support children witnessing or affected by domestic abuse. This review recommends that local agencies are supported in bidding for funding to begin developing such support for children. | Local agencies |
| 13 | All local agencies recognise the significance of strangulation or choking attempts when they happen in the context of domestic abuse. Research was considered which showed a correlation between such assaults and future homicide | All local agencies |
| 2 | Create a force system to enable quick and easy access to relevant safeguarding information and record of risks. | Gloucestershire Constabulary |
| 2 | There will be a requirement that selected agencies delivering public-facing services on behalf of public sector partners have a domestic abuse policy. | Public sector partners |
| 3 | The force to ensure that the completion and quality assurance of DASH forms are an ongoing priority with results reported to Performance group for scrutiny. | Gloucestershire Constabulary |
| 3 | A training needs analysis will be coordinated by the GDASVIG and a plan developed for how to roll out training across agencies. | GDASVIG |
| 4 | The force to ensure that training continues within the Constabulary in respect of Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment. | Gloucestershire Constabulary |
| 4 | An awareness campaign implemented using the branding of the local domestic abuse specialist agency and the glostakeastand website to raise awareness. | Strategic County Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Coordinator | DASVCG |
| 5 | Create force system where the risk factors affecting vulnerability can be easily captured and recorded | Gloucestershire Constabulary |
| 5 | As a trial is a public event and is retained in public records it should reflect reality, it is recommended that CPS prosecutors in domestic homicide cases and Magistrates have training in recognising the practices of coercive control, stalking and domestic abuse. | CPS | Magistrates |
| 6 | The force to reinforce the Victim Code compliance | Gloucestershire Constabulary |
| 6 | It is a responsibility of the police to identify vulnerable and intimidated witnesses and respond accordingly. | Police |
| 7 | The force to remind officers that the investigative process and the dialogue with CPS for allegations of strangulation is fundamental | Gloucestershire Constabulary |
| 7 | All health practitioners and professionals should consider Routine Enquiry in cases where depression or anxiety, or any condition potentially related to domestic abuse, is discussed with a patient. | Health practitioners | Health professionals |
| 8 | Benefit Fraud investigators should be aware that in cases where coercive control is exercised that financial abuse and control of the victim’s finances is more probable than possible and should therefore be trained in domestic abuse and have enhanced training in financial abuse. | Benefit Fraud investigators |
| 9 | All agencies should have identified individuals who are competent in identifying risk factors and understanding their significance (eg strangulation) More agencies need to be trained including: • Social care • Housing • Probation • Local councils • Benefits Agencies • Health Agencies | All agencies |
| a) | A Domestic Abuse Forum will be set up with a lead manager from CBH to chair the Forum and drive improvements. | Cheltenham Borough Homes |
| b) | The Forum will produce policies and procedures that will be ratified at their Management and Board. | Cheltenham Borough Homes |
| c) | The Forum will meet regularly but as a minimum every other month. | Cheltenham Borough Homes |
| d) | The Forum will identify and ensure delivery of training, both at an enhanced level and an awareness level that will be rolled out to all CBH staff. | Cheltenham Borough Homes |
| e) | The Forum will produce and monitor DA statistics. | Cheltenham Borough Homes |
| f) | The Forum will link to MAPPA, MARAC, GDASS and any other best practice organisations. | Cheltenham Borough Homes |
| g) | The Forum will deliver an Action Plan that will encompass the Learning Points above and any other defined work that is required. | Cheltenham Borough Homes |
| h) | The Forum will review its work on an annual basis. | Cheltenham Borough Homes |
| i) | The Forum will incorporate these ideals into their Terms of Reference. | Cheltenham Borough Homes |
| Recommendations extracted from the published report. Source: Home Office DHR Library. View full report ↗ | ||