Failing Survivors: The Urgent Need for Reform in Police responses to Domestic Abuse
Standing Together sends heartfelt condolences to the family of Kiena Dawes. Her suicide underscores the gaps in a justice system that continues to fail victims of domestic abuse. Although we respect the Criminal Court’s findings, we have no doubt that the abuse she suffered was linked to her death. This highlights critical flaws within law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Her partner, Ryan Wellings, was found guilty of coercive behaviour and assault but cleared of her manslaughter, and this underscores the need for urgent reform.
Today, Kiena’s abuser, Ryan Wellings, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years’ imprisonment for his abuse of Kiena Dawes; the sentence includes four years for coercive and controlling behaviour and two years for the assault on Kiena. While this sentence brings a measure of accountability, it also highlights the devastating impact of domestic abuse and the pressing need to address systemic failings.
Sadly, Kiena’s story is not an isolated one—it is a heartbreaking example of how abuse persists in a society that is too slow to act and too reluctant to place survivors at the heart of its response to abuse. We demand action now—through reforms that prioritise the safety, dignity, and justice of survivors.
Investigations: Survivors Deserve Better
The systemic failings in Kiena’s case highlight that policing responses remain ill-equipped to understand the complexities of abuse, fail to prioritise survivor safety, and disregard the lived realities of abuse. Every missed opportunity to intervene meaningfully and hold abusers accountable for the harm they cause is another failure that costs lives.
It is time to shift focus: investigators must hear and understand the lived experiences of survivors so that they can prioritise the psychological harm caused by coercive control and undertake evidence-led investigations. Justice systems must recognise that protecting survivors and preventing further harm should be a core focus.
Domestic Abuse and Suicide: A Silent Epidemic
Kiena’s story forces us to confront the undeniable link between domestic abuse and suicide. Our society can no longer continue to overlook this link. The psychological torment of abuse leaves victims feeling trapped and hopeless, and no person should feel that their only means to escape is death. We must acknowledge the toll abuse takes not only on victims but also on grieving families, whose voices are often minimised by a justice system that fails to act decisively.
No More Delays: Reform Now
Kiena Dawes’s death is a wake-up call. The criminal justice system is failing survivors, and the consequences are deadly. We demand immediate action on the following:
Prioritise Survivor-Centred Investigations: Investigations must be evidence-led with a focus on protecting survivors, identifying patterns of abuse, and addressing coercive control.
Mandate Rigorous Training: Police, judiciary, and frontline staff need survivor-led, trauma-informed training to respond effectively to abuse.
Introduce Accountability Mechanisms: Law enforcement must face strict oversight to ensure systemic change, and officers must be held accountable for failing to protect survivors.
Commit to Sustainable Funding: Adequate, long-term funding for services that provide life-saving support is essential to ensure survivors can access the help they need, when they need it.
Champion Integrated Solutions: Domestic abuse is a societal issue, not just a criminal one. A comprehensive, whole-system approach is necessary, integrating policing, healthcare, social services, and survivor advocacy through a coordinated community response.
A Call to Policymakers: The Time for Change is Now
The government and criminal justice agencies must take decisive action to end abuse altogether. This requires bold leadership, sustained investment, and survivor-centred policies that drive real, systemic change with clear messages to perpetrators that their abuse has no place in our society.
Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse calls on policymakers to take meaningful action, not just make promises. Survivors deserve better from their communities, police, and government. We owe it to all survivors—to build a future where abuse is no longer tolerated or ignored.
To the Families Left Behind
Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse stands with Kiena’s family and all families who have lost loved ones to domestic abuse. Your loss and experiences fuel our resolve to push for change. Your voices must echo through the halls of power until meaningful reforms are achieved.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, support is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247. Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) is an independent and unique organisation offering specialist and expert advocacy and peer support after fatal domestic abuse. For more information, visit https://supportaftersuicide.org.uk/resource and https://supportaftersuicide.org.uk/.