'Before she died, she said that he had killed her' - MP Lorraine Beavers maintains Kiena's Law momentum
“Before she died, she said that he had killed her.”
Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP is urging the nation to back Kiena’s Law as the campaign for greater legal recognition of domestic abuse-related suicide continues.
The campaign was launched during the Domestic Abuse-Related Suicide Conference, held in memory of Fleetwood woman Kiena Dawes, and is backed by Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and the charity Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA).
Kiena, who was born and raised in Lytham before moving to Fleetwood, died in 2022, prompting national discussion about the impact of domestic abuse and whether existing legislation adequately reflects the effects coercive and controlling behaviour can have on victims and their families.
The issue continues to be highlighted by Beavers, who recently released a video of her speaking in Parliament, saying: “Before she died, she said that he had killed her.” The MP has also publicly set out her support for the proposed law, arguing that abuse which contributes to a person’s death by suicide should be recognised as a crime.
“Abusing someone until they die by suicide should be a crime. Kiena Dawes' partner abused, controlled, and coerced her until she felt like there was no way out - that should be a crime,” wrote Lorraine Beavers MP on social media.
“Kiena's Law would mean abusers can be sent to prison for abusing someone until they die by suicide. Kiena's Law would also mean harsher sentences can be imposed for coercive and/or controlling behaviour.”
Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day
With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe
The campaign is calling for improved legal recognition of domestic abuse-related suicide, greater access to justice for bereaved families and a stronger response to the impact of coercive and controlling behaviour within the criminal justice system.
Kiena’s mother, Angela Dawes, is continuing to urge people to sign the petition calling for the proposed changes. In a plea shared through the petition, she said: “I will always be Kiena’s voice, and I will also be a voice for the many other girls we have lost. Girls should not have to die to be heard.
“That is why I believe so strongly in Kiena’s Law. A standalone charge for the abuse Kiena suffered could help save lives and prevent other families experiencing the heartbreak we have endured.”
All the latest news and top stories from across Blackpool and the Fylde coast directly to your phone.
Never miss a thing. Click here to join
The campaign continues to seek changes that would recognise the circumstances surrounding domestic abuse-related suicide in law and strengthen the criminal justice response to coercive and controlling behaviour.
The issue has particular significance in Fleetwood, where Kiena’s death in 2022 prompted continued campaigning by her family and supporters for changes to the law.
Sign the petition here: https://gqr.sh/ETp4