Advocates Demand New Laws to Hold Domestic Abusers Accountable

Domestic abuse campaigners are urging for new legislation to ensure that perpetrators who drive their victims to suicide are held accountable. Recent statistics reveal that more victims of domestic abuse are taking their own lives than those killed by an intimate partner. Despite advancements in understanding fatal domestic abuse, only one successful prosecution for manslaughter has occurred in cases where the victim has committed suicide.

Frank Mullane, founder of the charity Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA), established the organization following the tragic murders of his sister and nephew by a former partner. He advocates for legislation that clarifies the connection between domestic abuse and suicide, emphasizing the need for juries to understand this link. “We need a serious debate first and probably a new law which enables jurors to clearly see causation so that perpetrators of domestic abuse which leads to suicide are fully held to account,” Mullane stated.

Under the current legal framework, an unlawful act must be established for a manslaughter conviction. In many cases, suspects face manslaughter charges alongside other offenses, such as coercive control, which allows for some degree of criminal liability even if the more serious charge is unsuccessful. This was notably the case with Kiena Dawes, who tragically took her own life at the age of 23 after enduring years of abuse.

Dawes left a heartbreaking note on her phone, which read, “I was murdered. Ryan Wellings killed me. He ruined every bit of strength I had left. I didn’t deserve it.” While Wellings was convicted of coercive and controlling behavior and assault, he was acquitted of manslaughter. Following this case, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and senior police officials pledged to charge more domestic abusers with manslaughter in cases where victims die by suicide.

Mullane argues that the existing legal framework does not provide justice for families of domestic abuse victims who take their own lives. “The current law needs a refresh. It reads as if written for legal people, and jurors are usually not legal people,” he said. He proposes that juries should hear from experts who can articulate the effects of domestic abuse, allowing them to understand the complexity of such cases better.

Sarah Dangar, a consultant specializing in violence against women and girls and currently pursuing a PhD on the intersection of suicide and domestic abuse, highlights the wealth of information available to determine whether abuse has occurred prior to a victim’s suicide. “Research undertaken by myself and colleagues showed that these victims are not invisible; many are in plain sight of agencies,” Dangar stated.

Tim Woodhouse, the Suicide Prevention Programme Manager at Kent County Council, notes that individual circumstances vary, but common themes emerge regarding why victims of domestic abuse might consider suicide. Some victims fear that their abuser will murder them, leading them to attempt suicide as a means of controlling their fate. Others may believe the lies told by their abuser, leading to feelings of worthlessness and isolation.

Mullane emphasizes the need for clear communication in the law, stating that jurors must be able to grasp causation in these tragic cases. He believes that the government should allocate substantial resources to prevent domestic abuse and related suicides, particularly as National Police data indicates that these deaths outnumber homicides.

Jess Phillips, the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, echoed the sentiment that every domestic abuse-related death is a tragedy. “We must do more to understand and prevent them, and ensure perpetrators are held to account,” Phillips remarked. She noted that the government is reforming Domestic Homicide Reviews and establishing a new oversight board to expedite review processes.

For those affected by domestic abuse, support is available. The AAFDA offers free advocacy and assistance, while the Samaritans provide confidential support at 116 123. Women’s Aid also encourages survivors to reach out for help, emphasizing that they are not alone.

As discussions around this critical issue continue, advocates hope that a new law will emerge to provide justice for victims and their families and better hold abusers accountable for their actions.