At West Mercia Women’s Aid, we are committed not only to supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, but also to improving the systems designed to protect them. One important way we do this is through our active involvement in Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs).
DHRs are commissioned following the death of a person aged 16 or over where abuse or neglect by a partner, ex-partner, or family member is known or suspected. This includes not only cases of homicide, but also deaths by suicide where domestic abuse may have been a contributing factor.
The purpose of a DHR is not to apportion blame. Instead, reviews aim to identify learning opportunities, strengthen multi-agency responses, and help prevent future deaths.
Nationally, it is recognised that, on average, two women are killed every week by a current or former partner in England and Wales. These devastating statistics underline the urgent need for agencies to work together effectively, identify risk earlier, and ensure victims can access specialist support safely and quickly.
Across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Telford & Wrekin, DHRs continue to be commissioned where the threshold is met, reflecting the ongoing need for learning and improvement across local partnerships. In 2025 alone, West Mercia Women’s Aid was involved in 17 Domestic Homicide Reviews across West Mercia, highlighting both the scale of domestic abuse within our communities and the importance of ensuring every review leads to meaningful change.
As a specialist domestic abuse organisation, our contribution to DHRs is an important part of our wider commitment to improving outcomes for victims and survivors. We support the process through Individual Management Reviews (IMRs), sharing our insight into victims’ experiences, identifying barriers to support, and highlighting both good practice and areas where responses could be strengthened.
We are also a key member of the DHR Oversight Panel in Telford, with our Access to Services Manager acting as Co-Chair. The panel plays a vital role in overseeing and scrutinising the DHR process, ensuring reviews progress effectively and that agencies are accountable for implementing recommendations and learning.
Our involvement in DHRs often highlights the complex and deeply rooted realities of domestic abuse. We frequently see patterns of coercive and controlling behaviour, escalating risk during separation, and missed opportunities where earlier intervention may have made a difference. Through the DHR process, these patterns are recognised and translated into practical recommendations for change.
Importantly, DHRs also identify examples of effective practice. Strong partnership working, proactive safeguarding, and the involvement of specialist domestic abuse services can all play a critical role in improving safety and outcomes for victims. Recognising and building on what works well is just as important as identifying areas for development.
Beyond contributing to reviews themselves, we are increasingly involved in supporting the implementation of DHR recommendations through partnership discussions, policy development, and embedding learning into frontline practice. Our aim is to ensure that DHRs are not simply reports that sit on a shelf, but catalysts for meaningful and lasting change.
Raising awareness of DHRs is essential. They provide an opportunity for agencies to reflect, learn, and strengthen responses to domestic abuse, while keeping the experiences of victims and survivors at the centre of that learning.
By continuing to engage fully in the DHR process, we remain committed to ensuring that learning leads to action — helping to shape safer, more responsive services for the future.
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