Over the past four years, only 3% of domestic abusers linked to the suicides of their victims have been prosecuted, new data reveals.
According to a recent study, for the second consecutive year, the number of individuals committing suicide due to domestic abuse has surpassed those murdered by their partners, yet the perpetrators frequently evade legal consequences.
From April 2023 to March 2024, a distressing tally of 98 victims ended their own lives, overshadowing the 80 fatalities inflicted by current or former partners and 39 by other family members.
This data, collected by the government-supported Domestic Homicide Project, indicates a grim total of 1,012 deaths related to domestic abuse since 2020, with 354 of these being suspected suicides post-abuse.
Despite 90% of the offenders being previously identified by the police as potential abusers, only 12 have been charged, with a solitary charge of manslaughter regarding a victim’s death.
Other legal actions have spanned charges from common assault to harassment, including controlling or coercive behaviour and actual bodily harm (ABH).
The police anticipate an increase in manslaughter charges following new protocols that prompt officers to verify domestic abuse histories in cases of unexpected deaths.
Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for domestic abuse, acknowledged past oversights in recognising patterns of abusive and controlling behaviour.
The Home Office-funded research underscored a significant correlation between domestic abuse and the likelihood of suicide.
“We are fully committed to pursuing justice wherever possible, ensuring thorough investigations are conducted,” stated Assistant Commissioner Rolfe.
She highlighted that the new guidelines will encourage officers to rigorously explore any history of abuse during their inquiries, although she admitted that establishing a direct causative link between abuse and suicide presents significant challenges.
Earlier this year, Preston Crown Court dealt with the case of Kiena Dawes, a young mother who, in her suicide note, accused her abusive partner of driving her to despair.
Her partner, Ryan Wellings, faced charges of assault and coercive behaviour but was acquitted of manslaughter.
The urgent need for accountability in such tragic circumstances is further emphasised by Sharon Holland, mourning the loss of her daughter Chloe, 23, who died after enduring prolonged abuse.
Holland advocates for more robust mental health support and counselling for abuse victims, criticising the current measures as inadequate.
Following Chloe’s death, her abuser Marc Masterton received a prison sentence for coercive behaviour, although manslaughter charges were not pursued due to insufficient evidence.
