'My daughter had to die to be heard'

AS the 4th Anniversary of Kiena Dawes' death approaches, her mother, Angela Dawes, is calling on the public to support the campaign for Kiena's Law, urging decision makers to strengthen the response to coercive and controlling behaviour before more lives are lost.

Speaking ahead of the Anniversary, Angela said:- "I'm going to speak from my heart. My girl didn't want to die. My girl wanted to live. But she lived in fear. We've lost a beautiful, very special, kind young girl who's missed so much, not just by me, but by so many other people. Every day I look into that little girl's eyes, her baby, and I just wish that her mummy was here for her, and she's not. Kiena had a right to live. She wasn't protected by the people that she should have been protected by. She did reach out over and over again, and I was proud of her for that. But she was scared."

Kiena Dawes, a mother from Lancashire, tragically took her own life on:- 22 July 2022, aged:- 23, after experiencing prolonged domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.

Since Kiena's death, Angela has campaigned to ensure her daughter's voice continues to be heard and that meaningful change is made in her memory.

"I'll always be Kiena's voice. I'll also be a voice not just for Kiena, but for the girls that have been lost as well. My heart goes out to those families. Changes need to be made. Girls shouldn't have to die to be heard, and my daughter had to die to be heard. There was so much victim blaming." said Angela. 

The campaign for Kiena's Law calls for the creation of a standalone offence to better recognise serious patterns of coercive, controlling and abusive behaviour and to improve protection for victims before harm escalates.

Angela believes the proposed law could help save lives.

She said:- "To have a standalone charge for things like what Kiena went through, I do feel is so important. I'm so grateful that we've now got to the point where there could potentially be a Kiena's Law and what it would mean to us as a family. Nothing is ever going to bring my baby back, but if we can change things moving forward, I'd hate to see another family go through what we've been through. Please make changes before girls have to die to be heard. There are so many changes that need to be made. I can't personally save any other girls, but I hope I can help by saying this. Please don't give up, all of you who are working so hard for these changes. Please don't give up. Let's stop losing girls in this way."

The campaign has been spearheaded by Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, who has worked closely with Angela and Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) to raise awareness of domestic abuse related suicide and press for legislative reform. Through national advocacy, parliamentary engagement and partnership working, he has helped bring the issue to the attention of policymakers and criminal justice agencies, ensuring Kiena's story continues to drive calls for change.

Public backing for the campaign continues to grow, with more than 16,000 people signing the Kiena's Law petition, demonstrating strong support for stronger protections for victims of coercive and controlling behaviour and greater accountability where domestic abuse contributes to a victim's death.

Frank Mullane MBE, CEO of Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA), said:-"Kiena's case exposed a serious gap in the law. Too often, when a victim dies by suicide following prolonged domestic abuse, coercive control and intimidation, the full impact of that abuse is not recognised by the criminal justice system. Angela's courage and determination have helped shine a light on this issue, but this campaign is about much more than one family. Kiena's Law represents an opportunity to recognise the devastating and sometimes fatal consequences of coercive and controlling behaviour, improve accountability and help prevent future deaths. We owe it to Kiena and to every family affected by domestic abuse related suicide to make that change."

Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw renewed his call for continued action to tackle violence against women and girls.

He said:- "Kiena's story has touched people across Lancashire and beyond. Angela's determination to campaign for change in her daughter's memory is both courageous and inspiring. We must continue to learn lessons, improve protections for victims and ensure that women and girls are supported when they seek help. I would encourage people to support the petition and help keep this important conversation at the forefront of public and political debate."

As supporters prepare to mark 4 years since Kiena's death, Angela is urging members of the public to sign and share the Kiena's Law petition to help build momentum for change and ensure that victims are heard, believed and protected.

People can show their backing by signing and sharing the petition, helping to create a legacy of change in Kiena's memory and working towards a future where no family has to endure a similar loss.

Sign the petition here.