Review highlights the link between domestic abuse and suicide
A Domestic Abuse Related Death Review*(DARDR) into the death of Robyn (pseudonym) has today been published by the Norfolk Community Safety Partnership (NCSP) to enable lessons to be learned and shared as widely and thoroughly as possible to reduce the risk of such tragedies happening in the future.
Robyn was 34 when she died by suicide in 2024. Due to information found at the scene, concerns raised by Robyn’s family and information from support services during police enquiries, the NCSP agreed to undertake a Domestic Abuse Related Death Review.
Mark Stokes, Chair of the Norfolk Community Safety Partnership said: “The Review Panel and the members of the Norfolk Community Safety Partnership would like to offer their sincere condolences to Robyn’s son, family and friends.
“Robyn’s family describe her as a dedicated and passionate mother, sister and friend by those closest to her and we are so grateful to them for the insight they have given us during the review process. Despite the trauma she suffered as a child, Robyn was able to find the positives and bring light to those around her.”
“Studies in England show that women who attempt suicide are significantly more likely to have experienced domestic abuse compared to the general population, therefore we must continue to strengthen our responses to suicide risk following disclosures of domestic abuse.”
The learning and recommendations coming from the review highlighted the importance of further training for staff on recognising and communicating about domestic abuse, clear procedures for recording disclosures or discussions of domestic of abuse; completing risk assessments whenever a disclosure is made; equipping all therapeutic service providers with resources to respond to suicide risk and for commissioned and non-commissioned domestic abuse support services to engage with local strategic domestic abuse partnerships to understand best practice.
The partnership responded to these learning points by developing an action plan to deliver on all the recommendations detailed in the report and these will continue to be progressed and reviewed by the partnership.
The Zero Suicide Alliance runs free NHS-backed Suicide awareness training courses that are open to everyone, with person/sector specific courses as part of their offering for including healthcare, neurodiverse, taxi drivers, veterans, university students, prison and probation.
> The full DARDR into the death of Robyn can be found here
*A Domestic Abuse Related Death Review (DARDR), formerly known as a Domestic Homicide Review, is a locally conducted, multi-agency review of the circumstances in which the death of a person aged 16 or over has, or appears to have, resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by a relative, partner or member of the same household. DARDRs were established on a statutory basis by the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.
A DARDR panel consists of key members of staff from statutory, non-statutory, third sector and charitable agencies who provide support for victims of domestic abuse. Working together in this way will ensure the voice of the victim is addressed through the lessons learnt and recommendations of this DARDR.
How to find help:
In an emergency always call 999. For further help and support please visit the following websites, you are never alone:
· Samaritans: call 116 123 for free, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year or visit www.samaritans.org
· Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust suicide prevention and awareness: www.nsft.nhs.uk/suicide-prevention
· Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (NIDAS): call free on 0300 561 0555 or visit nidasnorfolk.co.uk (0808 2000 247 out of hours)
· Norfolk Constabulary: www.norfolk.police.uk/ro/report/domestic-abuse/a1/report-domestic-abuse
· Norfolk & Suffolk Victim Care: call 0300 3030 3706 or visit nsvictimcare.org
