UK Safeguarding Minister Admits Domestic Abuse Risk Tool Fails Victims

The UK's primary domestic abuse risk assessment tool, DASH, has been widely criticized for failing to accurately identify victims at the highest risk, with Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips admitting that the tool "doesn't work" and has "obvious problems." Despite being used for over 15 years by police, social services, and healthcare workers, studies reveal that a significant majority of victims later deemed "high risk" were initially classified as "standard" or "medium" risk, leading to inadequate protection and, in some cases, deaths. Phillips emphasized that while a replacement tool is needed, improvements must be made to the current system, noting that the effectiveness of any risk assessment depends heavily on the person administering it and the systems that follow from the risk scores. The government has announced new measures to combat honour-based abuse alongside ongoing reviews of victim support systems. Families affected by these failures are considering legal actions, likening the situation to other high-profile systemic failures, as calls grow for a more dynamic and effective approach to safeguarding vulnerable individuals.