Killed Women extend our deepest sympathies and thoughts to the family and friends of Kiena Dawes. Her tragic death highlights the systemic failings in supporting women experiencing domestic abuse and the urgent need for change.

Women who have experienced prior trauma and domestic abuse are at greater risk of mental health struggles. This reality demands better support, timely intervention, and a society that ensures no woman feels trapped without escape.

Too many women continue to suffer in silence, navigating systems that fail to protect them. This must end. We call for stronger preventative measures, immediate action when abuse is reported, and a commitment to addressing the systemic barriers that put women’s lives at risk.

Kiena’s death must drive meaningful change. Women’s lives matter, and we must work towards a future where every woman is safe, supported, and heard.

In a letter coordinated by Killed Women, co-signed by three survivors of the Telford grooming scandal and four KW trustees, in response to Elon Musk’s atrocious remarks attacking Jess Phillips MP, Safeguarding Minister, we stated:

“We write as victims of extreme male violence. What connects us all beyond our shared trauma is the support and kindness we have received from Jess Phillips over many years, personally and as activists fighting for change.

“We know there are those who would weaponise our pain for their own ends or political gain; who speak out with new-found interest, not to tackle the horrendous crimes that stole so much from us, but to further their own agenda. They should hang their heads in shame.

“As campaigners and activists, we fight every day to stop what happened to us or our loved ones happening to anyone else. We stand by Jess, knowing she has devoted her life to fighting for women and girls.”

We, Carole Gould and Julie Devey, have accepted OBEs in the New Year’s Honours List as an acknowledgment of our work in the Violence Against Women and Girls arena and for co-founding Killed Women.

We have been, and continue to be, dedicated to shining a spotlight on the injustices that we believe exist in this area of the law. Our daughters, Ellie Gould and Poppy Devey Waterhouse, were murdered in their own homes by young men who had been their boyfriends. Both of them finished their relationships and both were then killed in gratuitous attacks that showed overkill.

We joined forces to learn about the laws and sentencing guidelines connected with murder in this country, and have spent the past six years having meetings with politicians and with other women’s groups. We have also had numerous meetings with knowledgeable individuals such as Nicole Jacobs DBE, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, and lawyers and judges who work in criminal law.

Jess Phillips MP (Labour) has been a constant source of support and encouragement right from the start of our tortuous journey, and Sir Robert Buckland (Conservative) was keen to kickstart action when he was the Minister of Justice and saw through the completion of the Wade Review in 2023. We have since met with each subsequent Minister of Justice.

We set out to increase the starting tariff for murders in the home from 15 years to 25 years because this is the starting tariff for murders outside the home. We felt, and still feel, that the starting tariffs should be the same, should be equitable. As it is primarily women who are killed in the home, it is insulting and disrespectful to those women to say that their lives are worth ten years less.

We have not quite managed to get the starting tariff increased as we had wanted but we have instigated a focus on this area of law, and some positive changes have been made in the form of additional statutory aggravating factors: (1) A connection with the end of a relationship (2) Overkill, or the use of sustained and excessive violence (3) The involvement of strangulation (4) Prior controlling or coersive behaviours against the victim.

Our acceptance of the OBEs will help to shine a light on our campaigning and will keep the many unjust issues surrounding VAWG in the spotlight.

Getting this far has been really hard and emotionally draining and of course, will not bring our darling daughters back, but as we learn more and more about the injustices and more and more families reach out to us, we are fired up to continue our work.

A bereaved mother is not to be messed with.

Killed Women took part in the "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence" campaign in November-December 2024.

On each day we remembered a woman or women/girls (from the many hundreds which - tragically - we could have chosen), killed at the hands of violent men in the UK:

Banaz Mahmood

Kelly Fitzgibbons, and her daughters Ava and Lexi

Joanne Tulip

Raneem Oudeh and Khoala Saleem

Gemma Marjoram

Harshita Brella

Claire Tavener (Willmott)

Julie Butcher

Jan Mustafa

Megan Newborough

Joanna Simpson

Elinor O'Brien

Ellie Gould

Holly Newton

Fawziyah Javed

Poppy Devey Waterhouse

On Day Five we highlighted 5 essential facts about femicide:
1. Women and girls are most likely to be killed by those closest to them.
2. Femicide is a universal problem.
3. The true scale of femicide is likely much higher than the numbers show.
4. Some groups of women and girls face greater risk. Women in the public eye, including those in politics, women human rights defenders, and journalists are often targets of deliberate acts of violence, both online and offline, with some leading to fatal outcomes and intentional killings.
And finally,
5. Femicide can and must be prevented.

Enough is enough. There are no excuses.

On 25th November, Day One of the UN’s “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”, we marked White Ribbon Day 2024 with the theme: It Starts with Men.

Killed Women is a UK Domestic Homicide organisation created by and for bereaved families impacted by all forms of DH. We know the failings first-hand; they are not unavoidable tragedies but representative of a system which has failed to act and protect women.

Violence Against Women and Girls is rooted in harmful masculine ideals, societal, and cultural norms. Men and boys must understand their role as allies in challenging the attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence and create a culture of fear for women.

This White Ribbon Day, KW called on men to hold themselves accountable, not only to women and girls, but to their wives, daughters, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, granddaughters, aunties, nieces, peers, communities, and most importantly to society.

Together, with men, we can transform harmful cultures and prevent violence against women and girls. It starts with men.

At Killed Women, we also recognise the grief of the incredible men in our network. Their voices often go unnoticed as they are shamed, blamed, or afraid to challenge the misogyny that allows Violence Against Women and Girls to persist. Their courage deserves acknowledgment and amplification.

For KW, this fight is not just about 16 days; it’s a lifetime commitment, 365 days a year.

Share. Join us. Together, we can demand the change needed to end Violence Against Women and Girls.

Whilst Killed Women welcome the proposed wholesale reform of sentencing for homicides, and we acknowledge that the implementation of statutory ‘aggravating factors’ for strangulation and ending a relationship is a step forward, we know from our own cases that these aggravating factors carry no significant weighting in sentencing - perhaps a year for each factor at most.

By only using the aggravating factor route to potentially harsher sentences, the government are continuing to say that domestic murderers ARE NOT as dangerous as those who murder strangers outside the home. During a recent meeting with Minister Alex Davies-Jones and Minister Sir Nic Dakin, we had the impression that they agreed with us that the two types of murderer were equally dangerous. The measures they are proposing today do not, however, reflect this.

It is therefore disappointing that the Government are delaying the equalisation of sentencing for homicides that take place in the home to be on a par with homicides in the street. The former disproportionally apply to women and, with all the rhetoric about halving violence against women and girls, it is hard to comprehend why the Government are not backing our campaign to put these dangerous offenders behind bars for longer. We believe that families should play a crucial role throughout the process of any changes being made to sentencing, as they know first-hand the impact and devastation that these murders create.

We understand the counter argument about not wanting women who have been victims of domestic violence to receive the same tougher sentencing if they become perpetrators, but in such cases these women should be exempted from the sentencing guidelines on the grounds of diminished responsibility or self defence.

This would require training for judges, barristers and police, for them to acquire a better understanding of why women kill, which would take only months rather than years. Once the judiciary have this deeper understanding, they will be better placed to inform juries, who have to consider evidence but do not have the tools to do so at present.

It is distressing for us to realise that, despite all the meetings and conversations that we have held over the past five years with both sides of the House, Domestic Murders are still not considered to have the same level of severity as murders by strangers.

The continued absence of any proper plan by the Government to tackle this inequality in sentencing is appalling. The fact that the Ministry of Justice continues to simply try to use aggravating factors to bring Domestic Homicides in line with other murders under the banner of “tougher sentences”, demonstrates that victims and victims’ families are not a priority for this Government.

We will continue to campaign on behalf of victims and their families to make the change that’s needed.

Julie, Carole and Elaine

Killed Women’s Black & Blue Plaques: ‘Killed Here’ campaign calls on the new Labour Government to uphold the Conservatives’ commitment to change the outdated and misogynistic UK domestic homicide sentencing laws in support of murdered women and their families.

On average, in the UK perpetrators who kill in the home using a weapon kept in the home receive a sentence with a minimum prison term (starting tariff) before being considered for parole, of around ten years less than those killed out of home, due to out-of-date laws. 

One woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK - and in most of these cases they are murdered by people they know, and the murders are generally horrific in nature and involve overkill. However, the final blow for families is often in the sentencing, when the criminal justice system deems their loved ones' lives are worth ten years less. 

Killed Women calls for Sir Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood, the Lord Chancellor, to urgently include this crucial issue in the Government’s agenda.

“We want the symbolism of these plaques to raise this issue in the House of Commons. The Government showed a refreshing approach to the riots this summer and we want this issue to be granted the same attention, in honouring the pledges made by the previous Government. While this won’t bring our loved ones home, at the very least, families of future victims will be consoled by the knowledge that justice has been served.”

Each bespoke Black & Blue Plaque includes the woman's name, their life span, and then the words: 'Killed here', the sentence given, and 'Murder is murder, change the law'.

Read Press Reports

Killed Women’s Fallen Women campaign calls for the deaths of all women who have fallen from a height to be reviewed by police to identify whether domestic abuse may have been a feature.

We want official data collection to track the number of women who die after falling from a height each year, and believe that domestic abuse should be a key line of inquiry for police in all such cases.

Criminologist Professor Jane Monckton Smith estimates there are around 130 primarily female victims killed every year in England and Wales whose deaths are not investigated or prosecuted as homicides.

____________________

The campaign opening coincided with the Channel 4 documentary ‘The Push: Murder on the Cliff’, which follows the case of Fawziyah Javed, who died after being pushed off Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh by her husband in 2021.

Fawziyah’s mother Yasmin, a member of the Killed Women network, said: ‘Domestic abusers will continue to get away with murder if we don’t ensure the cases of so-called fallen women are rigorously investigated by authorities. We must have a system that delivers justice for these women.’

‘The Push’ has won ‘Best Programme’ at the Asian Media Awards and ‘Best Documentary Series’ at the Grierson Awards. This telling of Fawziyah’s story has helped people leave abusive relationships and saved lives around the world.

Killed Women and research organisation Ipsos have recently conducted an anonymous survey for relatives of women killed by male violence.

The aim of the survey was to better understand the experiences of bereaved families and what changes must be made to ensure women are protected, families supported and justice delivered.

The findings from the survey have now been collated into a report (entitled ‘YOU WERE TOLD: A Voice for Killed Women’), published and shared with the public at our Westminster event on 5th December 2023, entitled The Final Protest.

Be a voice for Killed Women and demand change. Click on the button below to access the report - and send it to your MP.

One week on from the senseless and horrific death of Rebecca Cheptegei in Kenya (the third female athlete to be murdered by a current or former male partner in that country over the past three years), we gather our thoughts on this latest high-profile killing and the prevalence of extreme violence against women and girls both overseas and - of particular concern to this organisation - in the UK (much of which is far less widely reported):

“We are truly heartbroken by the tragic killing of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, another precious life taken far too soon by male violence.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Rebecca’s family, friends and community as they grieve and navigate their profound loss.

As a network, we are painfully aware of the devastating impact of Domestic Homicide, particularly among women from ethnic minority backgrounds who face compounded challenges and systemic barriers.

Rebecca’s death is not just a loss to her loved ones but a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of so many women in similar situations.

We must continue to advocate for reforms and ensure that the voices of women, especially those from ethnic minority communities, are heard and protected.

Rebecca’s death is one of too many, and we are committed to working towards a future where no woman faces such violence.

Rebecca reminds us why we are here today and stand together as a network. ❤️”

On the evening of Tuesday 9 July 2024, the lives of Carol, Louise and Hannah Hunt were brutally taken in their own home. There are no words to describe the scale of this loss or the devastating impact of such violence on those who loved these women.

We urge all those with the power to stop this tidal wave of violence against women and girls to act with urgency. All women deserve to live free from threat, fear and violence. All those whose lives are taken deserve justice.

Our hearts are with Carol, Louise and Hannah’s family and friends, whose lives, as our network knows only too well, will never be the same again.

This consultation, published by the Ministry of Justice, considered:

- raising starting points for killings with a history of coercive and controlling abuse or with a weapon;

- and whether murderers who use a knife or other weapon already at the crime scene should also face steeper starting points – which would result in higher minimum jail terms in these cases.

Julie Devey, Carole Gould and Elaine Newborough of Killed Women discuss these - and related - issues in a short film entitled

‘The Change That’s Needed’

These three mothers of Killed Women were interviewed by Julie Etchingham for ITV’s Tonight programme on Thursday 22 February:

‘Murdered at Home’

CONSULTATION CLOSED 4 MARCH 2024

The Ministry of Justice is now considering its response to the public consultation following 5,200 responses.

July 2023. An open letter from Killed Women to Rishi Sunak, calling for Jade’s Law to be included in the Victims and Prisoners Bill, currently going through Parliament, in order to end all parental rights for killers the moment they are convicted.

Dear Prime Minister,

We are families whose loved daughters, sisters, aunties and mothers were killed by domestic abusers.

We know from experience that the impact of domestic homicide on bereaved families is lifelong, a grief and pain that can never be taken away.

The impact on children who have their mothers taken from them by killer fathers is unimaginable.

Yet even after the death, the ability of the killer to inflict pain isn’t stopped.

Unbelievably, if a father kills a mother, parental responsibility stays with that killer.

That means that after ending the mother’s life and destroying their children’s lives, these killers still have power over their children.

It means they can be involved in decisions affecting their young lives, including medical treatment or travel.

These killers can use this power to continue the controlling and abusive behaviour they inflicted upon the woman they killed.

Some abusive fathers have tried to block maternal family members from gaining custody of the children they love, the kids left to languish in the care system instead.

Some of our families weren’t able to see their loved nieces, nephews or grandchildren for months on end, custody battles sometimes lasting years.

Many face a cruel separation that has a devastating impact on both bereaved children and the murdered mother’s family alike.

For the ones that do get custody, the lack of financial, legal or emotional support for families left looking after deeply traumatised – sometimes suicidal – bereaved children is scandalous.

The Victims and Prisoners Bill currently going through Parliament is the opportunity to make a change.

We urge the Government to use this moment to ease the suffering of families like ours.

Yours,

Killed Women

Dear Prime Minister,

You recently announced that “a whole life order will now be the expectation when judges sentence for murderers where killing involves sexual or sadistic conduct.”

We three bereaved mothers absolutely welcome this move and wholeheartedly agree that the most heinous criminals should never be released from prison.

As three mothers of daughters who have been violently murdered, we understand your fears as a father and your mission to make the streets safer.

In reality though, it’s not just the streets. The home is much more likely to be the crime scene for a murdered woman and more likely to be where YOUR daughters could be murdered.

Contact numbers in a crisis:

We are reaching out to other families of women killed by men who might want to join the Killed Women network.

If you are a bereaved relative please email us at info@killedwomen.org for more information or click on the button below.

Your donation will help families elevate their voice and build this organisation, to create a legacy of change that ensures justice and protection for women in the future.