A new report reveals the shocking statistic that the majority of suspects involved in domestic abuse cases where victims of abuse have taken their own life were already known to the police.
Over the last four years, 92% of the suspects involved in domestic abuse suicides had been previously known to authorities. One police chief admitted that there is still “a lot” for law enforcement and other agencies to “learn and improve” to avoid future fatalities.
“I’m really concerned,” said Louisa Rolfe, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and national lead for domestic abuse. She told Sky News that the number of deaths within domestic settings remains a “staggering and intractable problem.”
Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls (VAWG), explained that this situation would not “change overnight,” but confirmed the government intends to launch a strategy to address VAWG in the next few months, which will address the findings of the report.
The report for England and Wales highlights that the number of suicides following domestic abuse is now higher than the number of victims killed by a current or former partner, marking the second consecutive year this trend has been observed. According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council, 98 people are suspected to have taken their own lives after domestic abuse in the 12 months leading up to March 2024, while 80 people were killed by a partner.
In 79% of suspected suicide cases, either the victim or the perpetrator made contact with other agencies, including mental health services and domestic abuse professionals. Since 2020, suicide has become the most common form of death in domestic abuse settings. Ms. Rolfe described the trend as “incredibly sad” and emphasised the need for better collaboration with other agencies to prevent these tragic deaths and ensure that every victim receives the best possible response.
Deborah Jones, who runs a domestic abuse charity in Barnsley, works with victims nationwide. She shared that 90% of the women she supports have contemplated suicide, with many attempting it because they “just can’t see a way out.” She criticised the lack of protection for victims, claiming that once they report abuse, they are often passed from one service to another without adequate support.
Sky News attended a support session where victims discussed their experiences of abuse, describing the “relentless torment” they endured. Some victims reported feeling dismissed as mentally ill, and others mentioned the trauma of recounting their stories multiple times. One woman shared that she was asked to recount her abuse “five times” in a single day.
Kiena Dawes, Jessica Laverack, and Kellie Sutton were young women who died by suicide after experiencing domestic abuse. Ryan Wellings became the first person in England to face trial for the unlawful killing of his partner after her suicide following domestic violence. In Kiena’s case, she blamed her partner for her death in a suicide note. Though he was cleared of manslaughter, he was sentenced to six and a half years for controlling and coercive behaviour and assault.
Following inquests into the deaths of Jessica and Kellie, coroners issued reports aimed at preventing future deaths. In Kellie’s case, the coroner raised concerns about a lack of understanding of controlling and coercive behavior and its impact on victims. The coroner also called for more recognition of the connection between domestic abuse and suicide in Jessica’s case, stating that processes and policies did not adequately address this issue.
Earlier this month, Sky News spoke to Sharon Holland, whose daughter Chloe died by suicide in 2023. Sharon is advocating for tougher sentences for those convicted of coercive control.
Detective Nikki Brown, part of Cheshire Police’s serious case review team, explained that coercive and controlling behavior is the highest risk factor for domestic suicides. She noted that identifying such behavior can be challenging for authorities, urging officers to ask “direct” questions. Another key risk factor is “separation,” as victims are particularly vulnerable after a relationship ends, and perpetrators may persist in their abuse to maintain control.
PC Colin Charlesworth, while conducting welfare checks on victims with protection orders, added that perpetrators can remain obsessed with making their victims’ lives miserable, even after being incarcerated.
The report also identified mental health issues, as well as alcohol and drug misuse as contributing factors to domestic abuse-related suicides.
Jess Phillips called every death connected to domestic abuse a “devastating tragedy,” emphasising that a better understanding of the links between domestic abuse, homicides, suicides, and unexpected deaths will help prevent them in the future.
Speaking to Sky’s Politics Hub, Phillips acknowledged that the changes needed would not happen immediately but stressed the importance of addressing the fundamentals of the systems in place. She noted that domestic violence cases were not previously included in police performance data and that the government’s current focus is on improving how cases are prioritised. Additionally, she emphasised that the goal is to ensure that victims and perpetrators who are known to services are met with prompt action, which will be a key component of the upcoming cross-government strategy.
