Family of domestic abuse victim failed by Nicola Bulley cops call for justice
THE FAMILY of domestic abuse victim Kiena Dawes have called for justice — as The Sun was praised for championing change.
We told yesterday how Kiena, 23, was repeatedly failed by the same police force that botched the Nicola Bulley search.
Mum Kiena begged them for help and documented her injuries during a campaign of alleged violence.
One image showed her head wrapped in a bandage and blood streaming down her face.
But she finally gave up hope last July and was reported missing by her family after leaving a suicide note on her phone.
It read: “I hope my life saves another by police services acting faster.”
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The police watchdog is now investigating.
It comes amid growing calls for the force to face an independent investigation into their handling of the search for mum-of-two Nicola, 45.
Kiena’s brother Kynan, 30, of Lytham St Annes, Lancs, insisted: “All we want is justice.
“The police are there to protect people but they failed repeatedly.”
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Labour MP Jess Phillips, shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, applauded our coverage of the case.
She told TalkTV’s Tom Newton Dunn: “This is a story of a young woman failed repeatedly trying to report a domestic abuser and him being repeatedly released on bail.
“Are the police fit for purpose?”
She added: “I would just like to praise The Sun for putting this story on their front page.”
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.
