Just 1% of reviews into domestic abuse-related deaths are being completed in the recommended time, BBC research suggests. Home Office guidance says these reviews, which make recommendations to help prevent people being killed by partners or family members, should be finished within six months. But BBC analysis has found most are taking years. Bereaved families say the review process is "hell on earth" and if it was speedier, further deaths could be prevented. Surrounded by photos of her only child, Pauline Jones points to the wall where the final Mother's Day card she received from her daughter Bethany Rae Fields is pinned in a frame. The 21-year-old was killed by her former partner, Paul Crowther, in Huddersfield in September 2019. Bethany, a university student, had repeatedly reported Crowther to police over threats he made to her and others in the weeks before her death. Six years on, Ms Jones tearfully recalls the moment she received news of her daughter's killing. "I got taken into this room, and my poor Bethany's father was sat there, and I have never seen a man so broken and in such despair," says Ms Jones. "I was told the words no mother ever, ever needs to hear or wants to hear: 'Your daughter didn't survive her injuries'." After Bethany's death, a domestic homicide review (DHR) was commissioned by a safety partnership, made up of organisations including the police, councils and health care providers. Every domestic killing or suicide involving people aged 16 and over in England and Wales is subject to a DHR, recently renamed as a domestic abuse-related death review (DARDR). They examine the role of professionals who had contact with the victim or the perpetrator before an attack, but do not issue blame. The review into Bethany's death found there had been nine "missed opportunities" to arrest Crowther - in some cases when he had visited police stations - after she reported his abuse. He was jailed for life afteradmitting manslaughter with diminished responsibilityin 2020. West Yorkshire Police has sinceapologised for its failings. Ms Jones, a school worker from Apperley Bridge near Bradford, says she was told the review would take nearly a year – six months more than the government's recommended timeframe – but it took almost three years to complete. The delay, and the process in general, has been "hell on earth", she says, leaving her "broken". Bethany's DHR was eventually made public in August 2024, almost five years after her death. Ms Jones is one of a number of bereaved families the BBC has spoken to who have criticised the length of time the reviews take. More than 1,200 reviews have been carried out since their introduction in 2011, according to Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse, a charity which supports families affected by domestic homicide. BBC analysis of all reviews in agovernment library, dating back to 2011, found almost every review was taking longer than it was supposed to. Of the 495 with sufficient data: Reasons given for the delays include the complexities of a police investigation or court proceedings, contact with family members or others to enable them to contribute to the review and safety partnership meetings. The delayed reviews are not the only concern bereaved families raise when they meet to discuss their experiences of the process. Phyllis Daly's daughter Jessica Laverack, 34, took her own life at home in Beverley, East Yorkshire, in February 2018 after experiencing domestic abuse. Although a report found the number of victims of domestic abuse who took their own lives in England and Wales surpassed the amount of people killed by their partners, Ms Daly says she had to push for a review into her daughter's death. "It's taken me away from my children, my grandchildren, my husband - everybody, because all I wanted to do was to be focused and try to contribute," Ms Daly said. Seven years on, the family are still waiting for the review to be finished, something Ms Daly described as an "excessive time for emotional impact". "I just see that great massive cost and it is not going to serve a purpose because after seven years, no learning can come out of that now," she said. Jess Phillips, minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said the reviews were "a really important opportunity for agencies on a local and national level to consider each individual victim, improve their safeguarding practices and ultimately prevent these deaths from happening in the first place". "Every death related to domestic abuse is a devastating tragedy and should not be overlooked," she said. Phillips accepted that more needed to be done to ensure the process was "effective and timely". She said the government was creating a new oversight board with publicly appointed members to make the process of reviewing reports faster. A Home Office consultation last year suggested increasing the timeframe to complete a review from six to 12 months - but no change has yet been made. Even with the extension, BBC analysis suggests most would still miss the deadline - only 18% of the reviews were completed within one year. Frank Mullane campaigned for domestic homicide reviews to be introduced after his sister Julia Pemberton and nephew William were murdered by Julia's estranged husband in Berkshire in 2003. Mr Mullane, who set up charity Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse to help other families, admits he is "hugely disappointed and somewhat angry" to hear about the slow progress other grieving relatives have experienced. However, he praises the impact of domestic homicide reviews. "Now we have evidence and detail of what it is like to live a life of domestic abuse, which then culminates in either homicide or suicide," he says. "This is detail that never existed before." Prof Jane Monckton-Smith, a criminologist specialising in domestic homicide who has chaired several reviews, says when done properly they can bring about real change. "They have been absolutely crucial in building our knowledge of intimate partner homicides, domestic homicides and suicides," she adds. However, she says they could be improved by having fewer people involved and having a chair to run the process. For Ms Jones, she still feels anger about the process of the review into Bethany's death. "At the start of this, I was hoping that I'd get answers, some kind of clarification of what went wrong," says Ms Jones. "The whole process has been horrendous, because you are reliving the most traumatic and painful experience of your life." Additional data journalism by Lauren Woodhead and Jonathan Fagg.
'Review into my daughter's killing has been hell on earth'
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Domestic Abuse Death Reviews Criticized for Lengthy Delays and Emotional Toll on Families"
Bbc News
7.1
TruthLens AI Summary
Recent BBC research has revealed that only 1% of domestic abuse-related death reviews are completed within the recommended six-month timeframe set by the Home Office. These reviews are intended to assess circumstances surrounding domestic killings and to develop recommendations aimed at preventing future tragedies. However, the analysis indicates that most reviews are taking several years to complete, causing immense distress for bereaved families who describe the process as 'hell on earth.' Pauline Jones, whose daughter Bethany Rae Fields was murdered by her former partner in 2019, shared her harrowing experience of waiting nearly three years for the review of her daughter's death to be finalized. She expressed her heartbreak upon receiving the news of Bethany’s death and highlighted the missed opportunities by law enforcement that could have potentially saved her daughter's life. The domestic homicide review into Bethany's case identified nine missed chances to arrest the perpetrator, raising questions about the effectiveness of the existing systems meant to protect victims of domestic violence. This lengthy review process has left families feeling broken and frustrated, as they await answers and accountability for the losses they have endured.
The delays in these reviews have been attributed to various factors, including the complexities of ongoing police investigations and the need for cooperation from family members. Bereaved families, such as Phyllis Daly, who lost her daughter to suicide after enduring domestic abuse, have also criticized the excessive waiting times for reviews, which can hinder the learning process intended to prevent future deaths. Despite the government's acknowledgment of the need for improvement, including the establishment of a new oversight board to expedite the review process, many families remain skeptical. Current statistics indicate that even with proposed extensions to the review timeline, a significant majority of cases would still exceed the new deadlines. Advocates like Frank Mullane, who campaigned for the introduction of these reviews, express disappointment at the slow progress but acknowledge that the reviews do provide valuable insights into the dynamics of domestic abuse. Experts suggest that while these reviews can be crucial for understanding intimate partner homicides, their effectiveness could be enhanced through streamlined processes and reduced bureaucratic involvement. Ultimately, families like Jones's continue to seek closure and justice in an agonizingly protracted system.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent article sheds light on the distressing realities surrounding domestic abuse-related deaths and the inefficiencies of the review process that follows. By highlighting the case of Bethany Rae Fields and her bereaved mother, the piece aims to raise awareness about systemic failures in protecting potential victims of domestic violence. It emphasizes the emotional toll on families who endure extensive delays in reviews that are supposed to prevent future tragedies.
Systemic Failures in Domestic Abuse Reviews
The article points out that only 1% of reviews into domestic abuse-related deaths are completed within the recommended six-month timeframe, as stated by Home Office guidance. This alarming statistic indicates a significant failure in the system meant to protect vulnerable individuals. The prolonged review process not only prolongs the grief of the families but also raises questions about the effectiveness of current policies in preventing domestic violence.
Emotional Impact on Families
Pauline Jones's emotional recounting of her daughter's death underlines the profound pain and trauma experienced by families affected by domestic violence. The description of her anguish serves to humanize the data, inviting readers to empathize with the victims and their loved ones. By presenting these personal narratives, the article seeks to engage the audience emotionally and stir a sense of urgency for reform.
Public Perception and Advocacy for Change
The narrative constructed around the inefficiency of reviews aims to foster a collective understanding of the need for reform in domestic violence policies. It encourages public discourse around the failures of law enforcement and social services in preventing such tragedies. This push for change is critical in rallying support from advocacy groups and the general public to demand accountability and improvements in the system.
Hidden Agendas and Manipulative Language
While the article focuses on raising awareness about domestic violence and the review process, it could also be viewed as a critique of governmental and institutional accountability. The use of emotional language may be perceived as a strategic choice to evoke outrage and motivate action. Although the intent behind this approach appears noble, it raises questions about whether the article is entirely objective, as it highlights systemic failures while potentially downplaying any positive actions taken by authorities.
Comparative Analysis with Other Reports
When compared to other reports on domestic violence, this article aligns with a broader narrative highlighting systemic failures. Many pieces in recent media have focused on similar themes, indicating a growing concern over the issue. The connectivity between these articles suggests a concerted effort to shed light on domestic violence as a pressing societal issue, urging various stakeholders to take responsibility for change.
Impact on Society and Future Scenarios
The revelations in this article could potentially lead to increased public pressure on policymakers to expedite domestic abuse reviews and implement preventative measures. This could foster a more proactive approach to handling domestic violence cases, ultimately saving lives. As public awareness grows, it may also influence funding and resources allocated to domestic violence prevention programs.
Target Audience and Community Support
The article resonates particularly with communities affected by domestic violence, advocacy groups, and those involved in social justice. It aims to unite these groups around a common cause—improving the protections and processes available to victims of domestic abuse. By addressing the emotional aspects of the issue, the piece seeks to engage a broader audience that may not be directly affected but can contribute to advocacy efforts.
Market and Economic Implications
While this article primarily focuses on social issues, it could have indirect implications for sectors related to social services, law enforcement, and public health. Increased awareness may lead to changes in funding allocations, which could affect related industries. However, the immediate impact on stock markets or specific companies may be minimal, as this is more of a social issue than a direct economic one.
Global Context and Relevance
In the context of global discussions around domestic violence, the article adds to the growing body of narratives advocating for better protection for victims. As societies worldwide grapple with similar issues, this report contributes to the ongoing dialogue about accountability and systemic change in handling domestic abuse cases.
Use of AI in Article Composition
There is no clear indication that AI was used in the writing of this article, as the emotional depth and personal storytelling suggest a human touch. If AI tools were involved, they might have contributed to data analysis or formatting rather than the content itself. However, the strong emotional narrative seems to stem from human experience rather than algorithmic generation.
This analysis indicates that the article is largely credible, presenting factual information supported by personal testimony. The emotional engagement and focus on systemic failures serve to highlight critical issues within the domestic violence prevention framework, although the potential for manipulation exists in the language used and the framing of the narrative.