SHINING A LIGHT
It’s right to raise failings of Nicola Bulley cops in death of domestic abuse sufferer, says MP
NICOLA Bulley cops must be quizzed over their failings in the death of a domestic abuse sufferer, an MP said.
Tragic Kiena Dawes, 23, damned Lancashire Police in a suicide note after going missing.
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The tormented mum felt abandoned by the force after alleged domestic violence by an ex.
She left a note that begged: “I hope my life saves another by police services acting faster.”
Labour MP Jess Phillips last night said it was important to hold police to account.
The Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding made the comments on TalkTV's First Edition last night.
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Discussing the story, Ms Phillips said: "What they [The Sun] are pointing out is are the police fit for purpose in these cases of missing people?
"But it also highlights some of the issues around domestic abuse and the failings in police forces in that regard so it's a very sad story.
"I would like to just praise The Sun for putting this story on their front page - they are often the sort of champions of domestic abuse policy."
Kiena was reported missing last July after leaving the note on her phone at a friend’s home.
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Officers classed her as “high risk” — the same as tragic Nicola — and began a search around her home town of Fleetwood.
But despite being handed the reg plate of her white BMW they failed to find her in time and five hours later she took her own life after being struck by a train.
Last night her family said they felt she had been repeatedly let down, as the police watchdog said it was investigating the force’s contact with Kiena and its response when she was reported missing.
Her alleged attacker remained on bail last night.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Farah Nazeer, of Women’s Aid said: “This heartbreaking case shows exactly why domestic abuse cases need to be treated seriously and with urgency.
“Specialist ongoing training from charities like ours is essential for police forces, with domestic abuse affecting an estimated 1.6million women a year, who are experiencing abuse from a current or ex partner.
“Three women are killed every fortnight in the UK alone.
“We know that only one in five women contact the police, and for more to want to seek support women need to know they will be taken seriously, and that they can trust who they are speaking to.
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“Culture change and training need to be priorities.”
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