Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has entered into any contracts with external organisations to review the use of risk assessment tools to prevent violence against women and girls, including the Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and Honour Based Violence risk checklist, known as DASH.

I am aware of challenges in the existing system for identifying, assessing and responding to domestic abuse risk, and we are committed to ensuring it is as effective as possible.

It is vital that the police are supported with the right training and tools to identify offences and protect victims. That is why, as part of our £13 million investment into the new National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Public Protection, the Centre will conduct a robust review of the range of risk assessment tools available to policing to drive improved practice nationwide, pinpointing areas for improvement.

We have separately funded the charity SafeLives to conduct engagement with the VAWG sector and other experts on the existing risk system. This will inform new non-statutory guidance on best practice for effective multi-agency working on domestic abuse and risk.