Naming practices in domestic homicide reviews in England and Wales

Rowlands, James

Abstract

In England and Wales, domestic homicide reviews (DHRs) seek to build a picture of the circumstances preceding a domestic abuse-related death, identify any learning and make recommendations for change. Drawing on data from document analysis of 60 DHR reports, this article explores how a victim’s real name is routinely taken out of use when a DHR report is published and, to disguise their identity, is usually replaced with a pseudonym or some other nomenclature like initials/letters. I report on the name forms used in place of a victim’s real name and the limited explication of both how (pseudo)names were chosen and the role of the family. By exploring how names are used, I argue for a recognition of the assumptions and complexity at the heart of DHRs concerning the place of the victim, family and state, and identify implications for practice, policy and research.

Citation

Rowlands, J. (2024). Naming practices in domestic homicide reviews in England and Wales. Families, Relationships and Societies, 13(1), 121-139. https://doi.org/10.1332/204674321x16765585870472

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 16, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Mar 20, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024-02
• Deposit Date: Sep 3, 2024
• Journal: Families, Relationships and Societies
• Print ISSN: 2046-7435
• Electronic ISSN: 2046-7443
• Publisher: Policy Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 121-139
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1332/204674321x16765585870472
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2783200
• Additional Information: This article is Open Access at: https://doi.org/10.1332/204674321X16765585870472