Latest news with #DomesticHomicideProject
The Independent
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Time to build a better future
The Independent is proud to be able to thank its generous readers and partner organisations for the completion of a new bespoke safe haven for women and their families fleeing domestic abuse. Our Brick by Brick campaign, launched last September in partnership with the charity Refuge, asked for a £15 contribution per nominal brick for the buildings – and there was an immediate and enthusiastic response to the appeal. Construction of the first purpose-built house has now been completed, with a second to follow soon. As soon as Refuge's all-female team of decorators have finished up, the first residents will be welcomed into their secure and safe new home. Of necessity, the location of the properties remains confidential, which will lend additional comfort to those who have been subjected to horrific mental and physical torture. In particular, Refuge, the Persimmon housebuilding company and its charitable trust have devoted enormous effort and care to the design of these new homes – with flexibility in the accommodation for children and appropriate security measures. Especially thoughtfully, pets are also allowed. These will be places of kindness as well as safety. In the words of The Independent 's editor-in-chief, Geordie Greig: 'This is a monumental achievement, and I'm immensely proud of the role our readers and supporters have played in building this house – Brick by Brick.' Many politicians, royalty and celebrities have put their status to good use by lending their names to our Brick by Brick campaign, including The Queen, Sir Keir Starmer, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Joanna Lumley, Olivia Colman, Victoria Derbyshire, Andi Oliver, David Morrissey and Sir Patrick Stewart. Despite the near ubiquity of domestic abuse, which takes many forms, it rarely dominates the news headlines – another reason why The Independent has backed this effort. It is so much more than an exercise in 'raising awareness' – a phrase that is often used but rarely matches up to the challenge of the problem. As so much domestic violence goes on behind closed doors, police and social services never get to hear of it – but the best estimates of the incidence of this type of violence and its effects are sobering. Last month, it was revealed that between April 2023 and March 2024, 98 victims of domestic abuse took their own lives – on top of the 80 who were killed by a current or former partner, and the 39 killed by a family member. Coupled with the 354 suspected deaths by suicide following domestic abuse since 2020, that brings the total number of domestic abuse-related deaths this decade to 1,012, according to the government-funded Domestic Homicide Project. There will be many hundreds of thousands more similar cases that have gone unrecorded, if not millions. One reason for these types of crimes – which are often described as an 'epidemic', and one with a long and often hidden history – is that it is just so difficult for women and children to get away from an abusive man quickly and safely. Without a refuge, they can become trapped in barbaric, controlling relationships. Shelters such as those provided by Brick by Brick will go a long way to remedying that. From a safe home, damaged people can begin to repair themselves, and their lives. They can also more readily seek what help they can from the authorities, as well as legal advice that will secure them justice. Such things are also crucial in rebuilding lives. More needs to be done, which is undoubtedly more difficult at a time when there is less money around. The social services departments of local authorities have suffered successive waves of austerity, as have police forces. Yet they are there to save lives and prevent injury, and there can be few better uses for taxpayers' money. More purpose-built refuges would also be a fine investment, saving on temporary accommodation and trying to fix problems when it is far too late to stop the harm. The children, after all, carry the physical and mental scars for the rest of their lives. In its election manifesto, the Labour Party tried to build on the pioneering work in this field done by generations of campaigners and some politicians who cared enough to make a difference, notably Theresa May, whose government passed laws on disclosure and 'controlling coercive behaviour'. Mercifully, even in these polarised times, this is not a partisan matter. Labour, in its turn, promised to 'introduce domestic abuse experts in 999 control rooms so that victims can talk directly to a specialist, and ensure there is a legal advocate in every police force area to advise victims from the moment of report to trial'. The party also promised to halve abuse against women and girls (much of it in the home) within a decade. Disconcertingly, the home secretary Yvette Cooper last November had to concede that she didn't know how to measure 'overall violence' against women and girls, nor 'how you look at domestic abuse'. Of course, if any government sets a target (even one that may exceed its own lifespan), it needs to be able to quantify its success, but that should be no excuse for not getting on with the job and maintaining that momentum. The creation of more safe refuges could be transformative in this effort, and it is something that should take its place in the ambitious housebuilding programme being overseen by the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner. There are women at the top of government who understand the problem of domestic abuse, are committed to improving the situation of women and girls and have the power and responsibility to do something about it. They should build a better future, brick by brick.
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'The support my Jessica needed is still not there'
The mother of a woman who took her own life after suffering domestic abuse says the authorities are still not working together to support Laverack, 34, was found dead at her home in Beverley, East Yorkshire, on 2 February her inquest, the coroner urged the government to recognise "the link between domestic abuse and suicide".East Riding of Yorkshire Council said it had made "strategic and operational improvements, learning from Jessica's case, to better support all those affected by domestic abuse". But Ms Laverack's mother, Phyllis Daly, said her daughter was failed by the authorities and the current system was "not fit for purpose".Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour, Ms Daly, 70, said there needed to be a review of the support said: "We've just used it for so many years, but nobody's challenged [it and asked] 'Does it work?'"They have institutional blinkers on – 'It's not my agency, not my problem'."But they need to work together with domestic abuse as that central factor." Ms Daly's comments came after 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 for the second year in a Domestic Homicide Project found 98 people were suspected to have killed themselves after experiencing domestic abuse in the year to March 2024. During the same period, 80 people were killed by their Ms Laverack's inquest, East Riding and Hull coroner Lorraine Harris wrote to the government calling for a fresh approach to help those deemed at Daly said she had fought for the inquest to recognise the link between domestic abuse and her daughter's death."At a time of grief it shouldn't be a battle, but nobody could understand or see what I was saying," she said."They didn't seem to see that link that I saw between domestic abuse and the abuse not been there, she wouldn't want to take her life." Ms Daly said she nearly lost her home paying for legal fees, but her campaigning had "helped me through my grief".She added: "I think if I hadn't been battling, fighting, I would have gone under."I can't bring my Jessie back but hopefully I can save some more Jessies out there and give them a better future to look forward to." In a statement, East Riding of Yorkshire Council said it "remains deeply saddened by Jessica's case".It added: "Following Jessica's death, we have made strategic and operational improvements, learning from Jessica's case, to better support all those affected by domestic abuse."We are improving how we hear the voice of the those with lived experience of domestic abuse, how we communicate with partner agencies at the earliest opportunity, and how we respond and prevent domestic abuse related suicide."If you have been affected by issues raised in this report, details of organisations offering information and support are available via BBC Action to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
The Independent
25-03-2025
- The Independent
Number of suicides due to domestic abuse only ‘tip of iceberg', charity warns
The number of domestic abuse victims taking their own lives is only the 'tip of the iceberg', experts have warned, after a report found the majority of abuse-related deaths last year were suicides. A tragic 98 victims took their own lives between April 2023 and March 2024, compared with 80 who were killed by a current or former partner and 39 who were killed by a family member. This brings the total number of domestic abuse-related deaths to 1,012 since 2020, according to the government-funded Domestic Homicide Project, including 354 suspected suicides following domestic abuse. Domestic Abuse charity Refuge, which has partnered with The Independent to build two new refuges for women fleeing abuse, said that the figures come as 'no surprise' as violence against women and girls remains at 'epidemic levels'. However suicides linked to domestic abuse continue to be under-reported, they warned. Ellie Butt, head of policy and public affairs, said: 'The high number of both homicides and suicides underscores what we already know about the horrific prevalence of domestic abuse. However, we expect these figures to represent only the tip of the iceberg as suicides caused by domestic abuse continue to be severely under-reported. 'Over the past four years, coercive and controlling behaviour has consistently been identified as one of the biggest risk factors in relation to deaths caused by domestic abuse perpetrators. 'As a society, we cannot afford to continue trivialising coercive control when its devastating consequences are so clear.' Despite such high rates of suicide, only 3 per cent of abusers whose victim took their own lives have faced criminal charges in the past four years, the report found. She called for 'tangible steps' to help prevent future deaths and better support those experiencing abuse, adding the report must serve as a 'wake-up call' for those in power. 'Domestic abuse is a systemic issue, and many of these tragic deaths could have been prevented,' she added. 'Overall, 67 per cent of perpetrators were known to police. This figure is even higher in the case of suicides, with almost 90 per cent of victims and/or perpetrators being known to partner agencies. 'These chilling figures highlight the critical need for a multi-agency approach to tackling domestic abuse – in line with the report's recommendations – alongside an improved police response to reports of abuse.' Assistant commissioner Louisa Rolfe, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for domestic abuse, said she expects more domestic abusers to be charged with manslaughter if their victims take their own life. It comes after Preston Crown Court heard how young mother Kiena Dawes left a suicide note blaming her abusive partner before she took her own life. Ryan Wellings was convicted of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour towards Dawes after a six-week trial earlier this year, but was cleared of her manslaughter. Refuge is building two safe houses for survivors of domestic abuse and their children after The Independent raised £576,984. Both houses – which are being installed with safety alarms and fireproof letter boxes – should be completed by spring. Our Brick by Brick campaign, launched with Refuge last September, prompted a national conversation about the prevalence of violence within relationships, coercive control and the many vicious forms domestic abuse takes. It was backed by leading UK figures, including prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, the Queen, Dame Joanna Lumley, Dame Helen Mirren, Olivia Colman, Victoria Derbyshire and Sir Patrick Stewart. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you More about Independent Brick by Brick Refuge
BBC News
25-03-2025
- BBC News
Suicides among domestic abuse victims surpasses homicides
The number of victims of domestic abuse who took their own lives in England and Wales surpassed the amount of people killed by their partner for the second year in a row, a report has Domestic Homicide Project found 98 people were suspected to have killed themselves after experiencing domestic abuse in the year to March 2024. During the same period, 80 people were killed by a response, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said the scale and impact of abuse was "incomprehensible".The policing organisation said it was committed to seeing more abuse perpetrators charged with manslaughter where their victims takes their own life. Bereaved relatives and domestic abuse charities have made renewed calls for authorities to act on the link between domestic abuse and April 2020 and March 2024 there were 1,012 domestic-abuse related deaths - of which almost half were domestic homicides, the majority of which were committed by a current or ex-partner. The rest were committed by another adult the same period there were 354 suspected victim suicides. Around three quarters of all victims were in the last two years in a row, the report's authors found that suicides linked to domestic abuse outnumbered homicides. The report was backed by the NPCC, Home Office and College of Policing. Julie Devey - the chair of the campaign group Killed Women, which also collaborated on the report - said she supported a proposal which would compel police to investigate any history of domestic abuse in the event of an unexpected death."For too long, these deaths have been treated as 'unavoidable tragedies' - but they are not. They are preventable," Ms Devey said the report highlights how victims and their abusers are often already known to public services prior to a fatal incident, adding that there must be a "system that joins the dots and intervenes before it's too late".A number of high-profile cases have cast a light on the link between abuse and suicide in recent year, a court in Preston was told how years of domestic abuse by Ryan Wellings led to 23-year-old hairdresser Kiena Dawes taking her own January, Wellings was cleared of manslaughter but was jailed for six-and-a-half years for assault and coercive and controlling 2023, Marc Masterton was jailed for 41 months for coercive and controlling behaviour in relation to the death of his ex-partner Chloe Holland's mother, Sharon, said the sentence was not long enough and started campaigning for a change in domestic abuse laws so that "monsters are held accountable for destroying a young girl's life". If you have been affected by issues raised in this report, details of organisations offering information and support about suicide and emotional distress are available via BBC Action Line.
The Independent
25-03-2025
- The Independent
Just 3% of domestic abusers charged after victim driven to suicide, figures show
Only 3 per cent of domestic abusers whose victims took their own lives have faced criminal charges in the past four years, figures show. A report found that the number of victims driven to suicide has outstripped those killed by their partner for the second year running, yet such abusers are still rarely held to account. A tragic 98 victims took their own lives between April 2023 and March 2024, compared with 80 who were killed by a current or former partner and 39 who were killed by a family member. This brings the total number of domestic-abuse-related deaths to 1012 since 2020, according to the government-funded Domestic Homicide Project, including 354 suspected suicides following domestic abuse. Nine in 10 perpetrators in the cases where victims are suspected to have died by suicide were known to police as potential abusers. Despite this, only 12 have faced criminal charges and only one was charged with manslaughter over their victim's death. Other charges included common assault, controlling or coercive behaviour, actual bodily harm (ABH) and harassment. Police have said they expect manslaughter charges to increase with new guidance that urges officers to check for a history of domestic abuse when they respond to unexpected deaths. Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for domestic abuse, said that in the past, investigators have 'missed obvious patterns' of abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour. But the Home Office-funded research has shown a 'significant link' between domestic abuse and suicide. 'We absolutely want to do everything we can, where there's justice to be had, to ensure every opportunity is taken to pursue justice,' said Assistant Commissioner Rolfe. She said new guidance means that officers responding to unexpected deaths should be asking questions about any history of abuse to ensure that 'every possible line of inquiry' is followed, although she noted that there are 'challenges' in proving a causal link between abuse and suicide. Earlier this year, Preston Crown Court heard how young mother Kiena Dawes left a suicide note blaming her abusive partner before she took her own life. Ryan Wellings was convicted of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour towards Dawes after a six-week trial, but was cleared of her manslaughter. Grieving mother Sharon Holland, whose daughter Chloe Holland, 23, died after suffering a year of torment at the hands of an abusive partner, has repeatedly called for more to be done to ensure that abusers are held to account after victim suicides. She believes the scale of the problem is 'far higher' than the latest figures show, and called for better counselling and mental health support for victims. In Holland's case, Marc Masterton was jailed in 2023 for 41 months for coercive and controlling behaviour, but the CPS felt there was insufficient evidence to pursue manslaughter charges. His former partner came forward after hearing of Chloe's death, and he was jailed for a further 43 months last year. Assistant Commissioner Rolfe called for a focus on prevention, with help from other agencies including social services and mental health teams, adding: 'The data reinforces the critical need for policing to work with other agencies to identify those at risk of being [either] a perpetrator or a victim of domestic abuse. 'A preventative approach is the only way to stop the widespread harm of domestic abuse in all its forms.' Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, added: 'Every death related to domestic abuse is a life cut short and a devastating tragedy. The better we understand the links between domestic abuse and homicides, suicides and unexpected deaths, the better equipped we are to prevent them from happening in the first place. That's why the government has funded this vital research to shine a light on the scale of the problem. 'This report rightly demands coordinated action across government, police and partner agencies to tackle these issues head on – and we are already cracking on with work to put the voices of victims, their families and friends, and key stakeholders front and centre of this. 'Our upcoming violence against women and girls strategy will set out our ambition, and concrete actions to strengthen our response to perpetrators and deliver on our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.' If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you
