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Domestic violence kills at least 105 English women in 18 months | Domestic violence kills at least 105 English women in 18 months |
(35 minutes later) | |
There have been at least 105 murders as a result of domestic violence in England since a new system was introduced last year designed to prevent these killings, the Guardian has learned. | There have been at least 105 murders as a result of domestic violence in England since a new system was introduced last year designed to prevent these killings, the Guardian has learned. |
Tuesday marks the release of a report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) about alleged police failings in a murder case last year. Martin Bunch stalked his former lover, Jeanette Goodwin, for months before stabbing her to death with a five-inch kitchen knife at her home in Southend, Essex, in July 2011. He was convicted in August this year of what the judge described as a "wicked" and "callous" crime. | |
The IPCC report is understood to contain a mix of praise and criticism for the police and to highlight court decisions not to remand Bunch in custody. | The IPCC report is understood to contain a mix of praise and criticism for the police and to highlight court decisions not to remand Bunch in custody. |
In this context a survey of England's 38 police areas was carried out by the Guardian, 19 – or half – of which responded in a timely fashion. The survey indicated that there have been at least 105 of these killings since the government introduced a new system in April 2011. The idea was that police should learn from previous cases, spot potential victims earlier and prevent violence from escalating. The vast majority of the 105 cases involved the murder of women by their violent male partners or ex-partners but also includes other domestic homicides. When the home secretary, Theresa May, introduced the national scheme to reduce domestic violence, she said: "From now on where someone has been killed by their current or former partner a review takes place so that lessons can be learned to prevent future tragedies." | In this context a survey of England's 38 police areas was carried out by the Guardian, 19 – or half – of which responded in a timely fashion. The survey indicated that there have been at least 105 of these killings since the government introduced a new system in April 2011. The idea was that police should learn from previous cases, spot potential victims earlier and prevent violence from escalating. The vast majority of the 105 cases involved the murder of women by their violent male partners or ex-partners but also includes other domestic homicides. When the home secretary, Theresa May, introduced the national scheme to reduce domestic violence, she said: "From now on where someone has been killed by their current or former partner a review takes place so that lessons can be learned to prevent future tragedies." |
But the figures obtained by the Guardian suggest that despite the introduction of the new system the number of domestic homicides remains worryingly high. | But the figures obtained by the Guardian suggest that despite the introduction of the new system the number of domestic homicides remains worryingly high. |
Rachel Cerfontyne, an IPCC commissioner, said: "In the tragic cases I have overseen, the police have a tendency not to join the dots on domestic violence, but rather to deal with repeated incidents in isolation [from each other]. They struggle to understand the coercive and controlling environment in which domestic violence takes place and the impact this may have on a woman trying to escape it, which is when they often face the greatest risk." | Rachel Cerfontyne, an IPCC commissioner, said: "In the tragic cases I have overseen, the police have a tendency not to join the dots on domestic violence, but rather to deal with repeated incidents in isolation [from each other]. They struggle to understand the coercive and controlling environment in which domestic violence takes place and the impact this may have on a woman trying to escape it, which is when they often face the greatest risk." |
One high profile case that prompted calls for a rethink in the way police treat domestic violence was the death of Mary Russell, 81, in 2010 in Essex. Police failed to record details of seven alleged assaults by her husband before she died of head injuries he had allegedly inflicted. A report by Southend Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Board last year found police treated Mrs Russell's seven claims of domestic violence as stand-alone incidents. The CPS decided there was not enough evidence to bring any criminal prosecution. | One high profile case that prompted calls for a rethink in the way police treat domestic violence was the death of Mary Russell, 81, in 2010 in Essex. Police failed to record details of seven alleged assaults by her husband before she died of head injuries he had allegedly inflicted. A report by Southend Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Board last year found police treated Mrs Russell's seven claims of domestic violence as stand-alone incidents. The CPS decided there was not enough evidence to bring any criminal prosecution. |
In another case, Christine Chambers and her daughter Shania were murdered in June 2011 in Essex by David Oakes. In August 2012 an IPCC report found that Essex police had failed to recognise any pattern or connection between these events and its own failure to share information between agencies. | In another case, Christine Chambers and her daughter Shania were murdered in June 2011 in Essex by David Oakes. In August 2012 an IPCC report found that Essex police had failed to recognise any pattern or connection between these events and its own failure to share information between agencies. |
A review is underway into the Chambers' case. Essex police has made significant improvements to their domestic violence practice. However, between June and September this year there have been four more domestic homicides in Essex. Police confirmed that they had contact with at least three of the victims before their deaths. | A review is underway into the Chambers' case. Essex police has made significant improvements to their domestic violence practice. However, between June and September this year there have been four more domestic homicides in Essex. Police confirmed that they had contact with at least three of the victims before their deaths. |
According to the Guardian's figures the areas with the highest number of domestic killings include West Yorkshire, Durham, Kent & Essex. West Yorkshire has had 15 domestic homicides since April 2011, Durham and Kent nine and Essex eight. London has had 28. | According to the Guardian's figures the areas with the highest number of domestic killings include West Yorkshire, Durham, Kent & Essex. West Yorkshire has had 15 domestic homicides since April 2011, Durham and Kent nine and Essex eight. London has had 28. |
It is impossible to make a direct comparison between Home Office data on domestic killings from previous years and data from half of the police forces in England, which is what has been obtained by the Guardian. Statistics about domestic homicides for 2011/12 have not yet been published by the Home Office. According to the Home Office In 2009/10 94 women in England and Wales were killed by violent partners or ex-partners and in 2010/11 93 women were killed. The figure of 105 killings since April 2011 from the Guardian's data refers to half of the 38 police regions in England but is for 18 months. | It is impossible to make a direct comparison between Home Office data on domestic killings from previous years and data from half of the police forces in England, which is what has been obtained by the Guardian. Statistics about domestic homicides for 2011/12 have not yet been published by the Home Office. According to the Home Office In 2009/10 94 women in England and Wales were killed by violent partners or ex-partners and in 2010/11 93 women were killed. The figure of 105 killings since April 2011 from the Guardian's data refers to half of the 38 police regions in England but is for 18 months. |
Janet Dalrymple, chief executive of Safer Places, a domestic violence service operating in Essex and Hertfordshire, said: "I'm disappointed that after all this time the learning from Domestic Homicide Reviews is not being shouted from the rooftops. There has been a lot of valid criticism of the police but we cannot just focus on that. Domestic violence requires a community response. Some of the Domestic Homicide Reviews I have seen would make you weep because it is clear that if professionals had shared information, outcomes might have been very different." | Janet Dalrymple, chief executive of Safer Places, a domestic violence service operating in Essex and Hertfordshire, said: "I'm disappointed that after all this time the learning from Domestic Homicide Reviews is not being shouted from the rooftops. There has been a lot of valid criticism of the police but we cannot just focus on that. Domestic violence requires a community response. Some of the Domestic Homicide Reviews I have seen would make you weep because it is clear that if professionals had shared information, outcomes might have been very different." |
Deborah McIlveen of Womens Aid said: "Women's Aid welcomes initiatives that increase victim safety and hold perpetrators to account to stop them using domestic violence. There are still far too many domestic homicides." | Deborah McIlveen of Womens Aid said: "Women's Aid welcomes initiatives that increase victim safety and hold perpetrators to account to stop them using domestic violence. There are still far too many domestic homicides." |
Essex police has put in place new systems and training along with extra resources since the murder of Jeanette Goodwin. Dt Chief Spt Simon Coxall: "We accept what we did and we apologise. Any domestic murder is one too many. I'm not saying we're perfect but we're moving in the right direction." | Essex police has put in place new systems and training along with extra resources since the murder of Jeanette Goodwin. Dt Chief Spt Simon Coxall: "We accept what we did and we apologise. Any domestic murder is one too many. I'm not saying we're perfect but we're moving in the right direction." |
Dt Spt Paul Goundry of Durham police, said that Durham had done a lot of work to reduce its overall domestic homicide rate. | Dt Spt Paul Goundry of Durham police, said that Durham had done a lot of work to reduce its overall domestic homicide rate. |
A home office spokeswoman said: "More than 130 domestic homicide reviews are underway with a number nearing completion. By making domestic homicide reviews mandatory important lessons are being learned that we hope will prevent tragedies and tackle domestic violence." | A home office spokeswoman said: "More than 130 domestic homicide reviews are underway with a number nearing completion. By making domestic homicide reviews mandatory important lessons are being learned that we hope will prevent tragedies and tackle domestic violence." |
CASE STUDIES | CASE STUDIES |
Christine Chambers and her daughter Shania Chambers were murdered in June 2011 by David Oakes. Oakes was convicted of their murders in May 2012. | Christine Chambers and her daughter Shania Chambers were murdered in June 2011 by David Oakes. Oakes was convicted of their murders in May 2012. |
Casey Brittle was murdered by her ex-partner Sanchez Williams, who was convicted of her murder in March 2011. Between September 2008 and October 2010 the IPCC found serious systemic failings by the Nottinghamshire police force. | Casey Brittle was murdered by her ex-partner Sanchez Williams, who was convicted of her murder in March 2011. Between September 2008 and October 2010 the IPCC found serious systemic failings by the Nottinghamshire police force. |
Jeanette Goodwin was murdered by Martin Bunch in July 2011. Goodwin became concerned for her safety and contacted the police telling them she had become "fearful for [her] own life" less than a month before she was murdered. Bunch was given a restraining order but was caught stalking her at her home in Southend several times. Despite evidence that Bunch had removed an electronic tag used to monitor a 6pm to 6am curfew order, he was granted bail July 2011. Four days later he forced his way into Goodwin's garden and stabbed her to death. | Jeanette Goodwin was murdered by Martin Bunch in July 2011. Goodwin became concerned for her safety and contacted the police telling them she had become "fearful for [her] own life" less than a month before she was murdered. Bunch was given a restraining order but was caught stalking her at her home in Southend several times. Despite evidence that Bunch had removed an electronic tag used to monitor a 6pm to 6am curfew order, he was granted bail July 2011. Four days later he forced his way into Goodwin's garden and stabbed her to death. |
Katarzyna Ryba was murdered by Piotr Zasada, her former partner, in October 2009 in Dorset. He was sentenced to life for murdering her. A police officer charged with protecting her from Zasada was dismissed after having an inappropriate relationship with Ryba. Dorset police was criticised by the IPCC. | Katarzyna Ryba was murdered by Piotr Zasada, her former partner, in October 2009 in Dorset. He was sentenced to life for murdering her. A police officer charged with protecting her from Zasada was dismissed after having an inappropriate relationship with Ryba. Dorset police was criticised by the IPCC. |
Maria Stubbings was murdered by her former boyfriend in Essex in December 2008. Police were found to have made many errors in the case. The IPCC concluded one investigation and then opened another in June 2011 after acknowledging that some evidence had not been properly considered. | Maria Stubbings was murdered by her former boyfriend in Essex in December 2008. Police were found to have made many errors in the case. The IPCC concluded one investigation and then opened another in June 2011 after acknowledging that some evidence had not been properly considered. |
Samantha Warren was murdered by her boyfriend, Santosh Kumar, in Bradford in April 2012. He was convicted of her murder in October 2012. A domestic homicide review is underway. | Samantha Warren was murdered by her boyfriend, Santosh Kumar, in Bradford in April 2012. He was convicted of her murder in October 2012. A domestic homicide review is underway. |
Fozia Ahmed was murdered by her husband, Khurram Bhatti, in February 2012 while he was on bail accused of assaulting her. She had complained of domestic violence. | Fozia Ahmed was murdered by her husband, Khurram Bhatti, in February 2012 while he was on bail accused of assaulting her. She had complained of domestic violence. |
Susan McGoldrick was killed by her partner, Michael Atherton, in January 2012. He also killed her sister, Alison Turnbull, and her niece, Tanya Turnbull. The IPCC is investigating. | Susan McGoldrick was killed by her partner, Michael Atherton, in January 2012. He also killed her sister, Alison Turnbull, and her niece, Tanya Turnbull. The IPCC is investigating. |
Susan Ann Forster was killed by her husband, Charles. Police had been involved in the case before her death – a month before she was killed Charles Forster was cautioned for kicking and punching her. The IPCC is investigating. | Susan Ann Forster was killed by her husband, Charles. Police had been involved in the case before her death – a month before she was killed Charles Forster was cautioned for kicking and punching her. The IPCC is investigating. |
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