Danielle’s Law

24/08/2026

Domestic abuse doesn’t end at the moment of death and our laws shouldn’t either.

I want to share this powerful piece from Mags Lesiak, Doctoral Researcher at Cambridge, who has been shining a light on something families like mine know all too well: perpetrator‑driven su***de is real, patterned, and preventable.

Her article on the recent Milne conviction in Scotland shows exactly what becomes possible when the justice system is equipped to recognise sustained coercive control as a cause of death, not just a tragic backdrop. Scotland now has the legal vocabulary to name these deaths for what they are.

England and Wales still don’t.

That gap means countless women continue to die in ways the law cannot properly investigate or acknowledge. As Mags highlights, frontline officers already see the patterns. Families already live the consequences. Evidence is fragile, the window is small, and the stakes could not be higher.

This is why change is needed to ensure suspected domestic‑abuse‑related su***des are investigated with the same seriousness, structure as any other form of homicide or fatality linked to abuse.

I’m grateful to Mags for using her platform and expertise to push this conversation forward. Her work gives academic and policing weight to what bereaved families have been saying for years: these deaths are not invisible, and they are not inevitable. They deserve recognition, investigation, and justice.

Law Commission Angela Rayner Jon Pearce MP for High Peak

A recent landmark Scottish conviction recognised that domestic abuse can drive a victim to take their own life, but English law still offers no equivalent, and cases like Danielle Haggerty’s show what…

20/08/2026

January 2023 was the moment the system could have saved Danielle.
Instead, it became one of the most devastating missed opportunities in her case.

In January, Danielle rang the police herself. She told them he had assaulted her.
And while she was still on the phone, he threatened to drag her back up the stairs.

That was a clear, immediate danger.
A textbook escalation.
A moment where any trained professional should have recognised the risk of serious harm even homicide.

But nothing meaningful happened.

No high‑risk response.
No MARAC.
No safeguarding plan.
No perpetrator management.
No recognition of coercive control.

Just another incident recorded… and left to fade.

Two months later, Danielle died on those same stairs.

A neighbour heard what sounded like her being thrown up and down them.
They heard him threaten to kill her.
They heard her cry out in pain.
Her final words were: “You’re killing me.”

And still, the case didn’t even make it to trial.

The January call wasn’t just a warning.
It was Danielle reaching out for help while the danger was unfolding in real time.
It was the moment the system should have stepped in, protected her, and held him accountable.

Instead, she was left alone with a man who had already shown exactly what he was capable of.

Danielle died in the same place she begged for help about the same staircase, the same violence, the same man.
January 2023 wasn’t just a missed opportunity.
It was the moment her life could have been saved.

This is why we fight for change.

19/08/2026

What happens when domestic abuse contributes to a death by su***de?

Danielle’s case has left me asking that question again and again.

Danielle’s inquest concluded that her death was:

“the unintended outcome of an act of self-harm at a time of distress, in the context of a volatile and abusive relationship, and in the immediate aftermath of a violent argument.”

Those words matter.

Because Danielle’s death cannot be understood by looking only at the final act.

Her Domestic Abuse-Related Death Review identified a history of domestic abuse, trauma, mental-health difficulties and self-harm. It also recorded that Danielle disclosed suicidal thoughts on the day she died.

The review explicitly states that su***de and domestic abuse are often interconnected.

It identified missed opportunities, including the failure to create a mental-health care plan when Danielle was experiencing mental-health difficulties.

It also found issues surrounding breaches of police bail and concluded that a more proactive response was needed.

And the recommendations are significant.

The review calls for agencies to:

• Routinely ask domestic-abuse survivors about suicidal thoughts and mental health.

• Provide immediate intervention when suicidal thoughts or behaviour are disclosed.

• Develop crisis responses specifically addressing su***de risk associated with domestic abuse.

• Include emergency housing, mental-health support and legal protection within safety planning.

• Ensure perpetrators are held accountable through appropriate legal measures.

So the system recognises the connection.

It recognises that domestic abuse can contribute to trauma, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

But there remains a fundamental question:

What happens when that risk becomes a death?

Where domestic abuse, violence, coercion, abandonment or another person’s conduct may have materially contributed to a victim’s self-harm death, should there be a clear legal framework for investigating that contribution?

This is not about changing the facts of Danielle’s death.

It is about making sure that the law and our investigative systems are capable of recognising the full circumstances surrounding deaths like hers.

Domestic abuse doesn’t always end with a homicide.

Sometimes the final act is committed by the victim.

That does not mean the abuse should disappear from the story.

The circumstances leading to the death matter.

17/08/2026

A meaningful step forward today in the national conversation on homicide reform.I took part in a Law Commission roundtable, invited because of my lived experience and as a bereaved family member directly affected by the gaps in current law.The discussion centred on two major proposals:

• the three‑tier structure for homicide, and
• the proposed offence addressing abuse‑related su***de.

Both areas highlight long‑standing gaps around duty of care, gross negligence manslaughter, and the lack of any legal mechanism to address deaths linked to coercive control, abandonment, or omission‑based harm.

I’m proud that Danielle’s Law and Danielle’s case were referenced in both proposals. Her story is now directly informing how the law might evolve to better protect victims and recognise the realities of domestic abuse.The next major milestone will be the sentencing and defence consultation in 2027, ahead of the Law Commission’s final report in 2028. I’ll continue to engage throughout to ensure these gaps remain visible and that meaningful reform stays firmly on the agenda.

17/08/2026

Domestic abuse doesn’t only end in physical violence. It ends in silence, despair, and preventable loss of life.

Advance’s new report, The Intersection of Gender, Domestic Abuse and Suicidality, exposes a crisis that has been hidden in plain sight: suicidality is one of the most severe and least recognised impacts of domestic abuse.

From the report:

“It is estimated that every day 30 women attempt su***de because of their experience of domestic abuse.”
“Su***des related to domestic abuse now occur at approximately three times the rate of domestic homicides.”

The evidence is stark:

• Women are three to four times more likely than men to attempt su***de.
• 94% of domestic‑abuse‑related su***de victims had documented mental‑health conditions and were already known to services.
• 68% of women supported by Advance between 2023–2025 said they were depressed or suicidal during their DASH assessment.
• Every serious safeguarding incident involving suicidality at Advance since 2022 included domestic abuse as a contributing factor.

This is not an anomaly.
This is a pattern — and a preventable one.

The report highlights how coercive control, cumulative abuse, early trauma, and systemic blind spots create conditions where women’s mental health deteriorates long before crisis intervention is offered. Risk assessments often fail to ask the right questions. Suicidality is still not treated as a core indicator of domestic abuse. And too many women die without their abuse ever being recognised.

At Lost Voices UK, we stand with families who have lost loved ones to domestic‑abuse‑related su***de. Their stories are not “undetermined.” They are not “accidental.” They are part of a national crisis that demands urgent recognition, accountability, and reform.

Advance’s report is a vital step forward. It confirms what bereaved families and frontline advocates have been saying for years: these deaths are preventable when the system listens, understands, and acts early.

We will continue to amplify the voices of those who can no longer speak for themselves — and fight for a future where no woman’s suffering is dismissed, minimised, or overlooked.

If you’ve been affected by domestic‑abuse‑related su***de, you are not alone.
Visit www.lostvoices.co.uk
Stand with us.
Speak their names.
Help us make the invisible visible.

***dePrevention

www.lostvoicesuk.co.uk

https://www.advancecharity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Intersection-of-Gender-Domestic-Abuse-and-Suicidality-Full-report.pdf

15/08/2026

Every Little Thing Festival: Healing Through Connection

When life feels overwhelming, having the right support around you can make all the difference.

Trauma, grief, and life's challenges can often leave people feeling isolated, but healing does not have to happen alone. That's why we're proud to support the Every Little Thing Festival, a unique wellbeing event dedicated to connection, recovery, and community.

Taking place on Sunday 4 October 2026, from 12pm to 6pm at the Penta Hotel, this special event brings together people, organisations, and wellbeing practitioners with a shared goal: creating a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.

The festival will feature:

🎶 Live music and performances
🧘 Relaxing sound bath experiences
💜 Trauma-informed wellbeing support
🤝 Opportunities to connect with others in a safe and welcoming environment
🌱 Resources designed to support mental health and emotional wellbeing
Working alongside fantastic partners including Project Salama, Broad Street Mall, and Penta Hotels, the event aims to provide a sanctuary where people can take time for themselves, recharge, and build meaningful connections with others.

At Lost Voices, we know the importance of community in the healing journey. Events like the Every Little Thing Festival help break down isolation and remind us that no one should have to face their struggles alone.

Get Involved

Attend the Festival
Whether you're seeking support, looking to learn more about wellbeing, or simply wanting to enjoy a day of positivity and connection, we'd love to see you there.

Support the Cause
Businesses and organisations are invited to get involved through sponsorship opportunities and raffle prize donations, helping to keep the event accessible to those who need it most.

Support Your Team's Wellbeing
Corporate organisations can also explore ticket purchases as part of employee wellbeing initiatives, investing in mental health and community resilience.

A simple share could help someone discover the support, connection, or encouragement they need today. Together, every little thing can make a big difference

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/every-little-thing-festival-tickets-1997847994131?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios&sg=35e9b7806cdf4a35c77f70e711653c1c5454e6c51509ebecce240c2ba72192684b4ea6f4bdf7044aa65bdfb8bb71110fcafd23532fc4e1d4dcedf6f5f1a359b47da5b6720dd165f30cc1fd0bd329

14/08/2026

Join us at our Su***de Prevention Day Webinar: The Intersection of Gender, Domestic Abuse, and Suicidality.

Last year, Advance published The Intersection of Gender, Domestic Abuse and Suicidality, a report that highlighted the devastating reality that increasing numbers of women are dying by su***de as a result of domestic abuse.

Drawing on evidence and survivors' experiences, the report explored the inseparable relationship between domestic abuse and suicidality. It also sets out recommendations for improving support for survivors, strengthening prevention efforts, and ensuring perpetrators are held to account for the full impact of their abuse.

One year on, for World Su***de Prevention Day, we are reiterating the urgent need to recognise the links between domestic abuse and suicidality. We are hosting a webinar exploring the findings of the report, reflecting on the progress made over the past year, and discussing what more must be done to better support survivors and prevent su***de.

Join us online for this important discussion, drawing on the latest research and frontline expertise.

Chaired by: Amrita B, Head of Domestic Abuse Service, Advance

Our panel includes:

Dr Hannana Siddiqui, Director of Policy, Campaigns and Research, Southall Black Sisters
Nirma Bheeroo, Counselling Manager, Woman's Trust
Sharon Holland, Lived Experience Ambassador and campaigner
Don't miss this amazing opportunity to deepen your understanding of The Intersection of Gender, Domestic Abuse, and Suicidality.

Find out more and reserve your place at our webinar:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-intersection-of-gender-domestic-abuse-and-suicidality-tickets-1997688249330?aff=oddtdtcreator

13/08/2026

12/08/2026

A year ago today, on 10th August, I took the last photograph I would ever take of my daughter, Hayley.

She was sitting with her little dog, Boo, and she looked happy.

She didn’t want her photograph taken, which is why, despite spending six days together in Devon, it was the only photograph I took of her during those days.

Those six days are memories I will always treasure, but they weren’t the easiest. Hayley was finding it incredibly hard to come to terms with a life-changing situation she was facing. I knew she was struggling, but she tried her very best to hide just how much she was hurting. The fear she felt and the uncertainty that was ahead of her.

That same day, Hayley also put her last post on social media directed at the then Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, about the deportation of non-British citizens. She was hoping to be heard as she was trying to make sense of what was happening and seeking answers about a situation that had become so frightening for her.

Looking back at that photograph now, I can see the smile, but I also knew what I couldn’t see.

Four days after this photograph was taken, I hugged Hayley goodbye for the last time.

We can never truly know what someone is carrying behind a smile.

So when you see someone smiling, laughing, making conversation or simply carrying on as normal, be kind.

You never know what someone is struggling with inside.

Sometimes the people who look like they are coping are the ones fighting the hardest battles.

I will treasure this photograph of my beautiful Hayley forever. ❤️

12/08/2026

Domestic abuse doesn’t only end in homicide it ends in silence. And for too long, those deaths were never counted.

Data from the National Police Chiefs’ Council reveals a stark truth:
Su***des linked to domestic abuse now outnumber intimate partner homicides in England and Wales.

Over the last five years, the Domestic Homicide Project recorded:

• 1,452 domestic‑abuse‑related deaths
• 553 suspected victim su***des the single largest category
• Intimate partner homicides have been overtaken by su***des every year since 2022

These aren’t statistics.
They are people.
They are stories.
They are families left behind with questions that should never have been theirs to carry.

At Lost Voices UK, we exist because these deaths were invisible for too long.
We stand for those who didn’t survive the abuse, the coercive control, the fear, the isolation and whose voices were lost before the system ever recognised the danger they were in.

This data confirms what bereaved families have known for years:
Domestic abuse kills even when the perpetrator never lays a hand on the victim.

Recognition is finally changing.
Now the response must change with it.

If you believe every life lost to domestic abuse including su***de deserves to be counted, acknowledged, and learned from, join us.
Follow our work.
Support our mission.
Help us make sure no more voices are lost in silence.

https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/report-reveals-scale-of-domestic-homicide-and-su***des-by-victims-of-domestic-abuse

***deawareness