Beyond Domestic Homicide Sentencing: Prevention Must be the Priority
- Dr Kelly Bracewell
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Following my recent interview with the South West Londoner on the Government's proposed changes to domestic homicide sentencing, I wanted to reflect a little further on what these reforms mean—and, perhaps more importantly, what they do not.
The proposal to increase the sentencing starting point for domestic murders committed in the home has rightly been welcomed by survivors, bereaved families, researchers and practitioners. It addresses a long-standing inconsistency that meant perpetrators who killed a partner or family member in a domestic setting could receive a lower sentencing starting point than those committing murder in other contexts.
In my interview, I described the reforms as sending a clear message that domestic abuse should never be viewed as somehow less serious simply because it takes place behind closed doors. I stand by that. For the families who have campaigned tirelessly for years, this is an important step towards recognising the devastating impact of domestic homicide.
However, while sentencing matters, we cannot allow it to become the whole conversation.
Justice after homicide is only part of the picture
Throughout my research into domestic abuse, stalking, domestic homicide reviews and survivor experiences, one finding appears with troubling consistency: many victims have contact with multiple agencies before they are killed.
Police, health services, social care, housing providers, employers, schools and specialist domestic abuse organisations often each hold part of the picture. Yet opportunities to identify escalating risk, share information and intervene are too often missed.
Longer prison sentences acknowledge the seriousness of these crimes, but they come after a life has already been lost. The more important question is whether that death could have been prevented in the first place.
Progress has been made—but important gaps remain
There is no doubt that legislation such as the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, alongside greater recognition of coercive control and stalking, has improved our understanding of violence against women and girls.
Yet survivors continue to tell me about the barriers they face when trying to access help. Stalking remains misunderstood, coercive control is still difficult to identify in practice, and specialist services continue to operate under significant resource pressures.
The gap between policy and lived experience remains wider than it should be.
During my interview with the South West Londoner, I also reflected on whether these reforms should prompt wider discussion about cases where prolonged abuse ultimately results in manslaughter rather than murder convictions. Families frequently feel that the cumulative nature of coercive control and psychological abuse is not adequately recognised by the criminal justice system. Several of the other contributors echoed similar concerns, highlighting the need for the law to better reflect the realities of domestic abuse and the devastating impact it has long before a homicide occurs.
Looking beyond homicide
One area that deserves far greater attention is the growing evidence linking domestic abuse with victim suicidality.
Sustained coercive control, isolation, fear and degradation can have catastrophic consequences for mental health, yet abuse-related suicides rarely fit comfortably within traditional criminal justice frameworks. As highlighted by other contributors to the South West Londoner feature, including those supporting bereaved families, there is increasing recognition that our legal system must continue evolving if it is to reflect the realities of abuse.
These are difficult conversations, but they are conversations we need to have.
Learning the lessons we already know
Domestic Homicide Reviews consistently identify the same themes.
Failures to recognise escalating risk.
Missed opportunities for information sharing.
Poor responses to stalking and coercive control.
Insufficient support for victims.
The evidence is already there. What we often lack is the consistent implementation of the lessons these reviews continue to provide. Preventing domestic homicide requires sustained investment in specialist services, better workforce training, stronger multi-agency working and, crucially, a commitment to acting on the recommendations that emerge after every review.
Governments of all political colours have pledged to tackle violence against women and girls, but ambitious strategies alone will never save lives. Meaningful change requires sustained leadership, long-term funding and the determination to move beyond policy announcements. You can read the article here
Prevention must remain the priority
The proposed sentencing reforms matter. They acknowledge the seriousness of domestic homicide and recognise the tireless campaigning of bereaved families whose voices have driven much-needed change.
But for me, success should never be measured solely by how long someone spends in prison after taking a life. It should be measured by how many lives we prevent from being lost in the first place.
Every statistic represents a person, a family and a community forever changed. Justice after a homicide is essential, but if we are genuinely committed to protecting women and girls, our greatest priority must always be preventing that homicide from ever happening.
Support and advice
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak:
Dial 999 and listen to the operator.
Respond by coughing or tapping your device if possible.
If prompted, press 55 to signal a genuine emergency, and you will be connected to the police. Click here for more information on silent calls.
If you are struggling, you can call the Samaritans for free, confidential, non-judgemental support 24 hours a day on 116 123. Or visit their website for a chat service and additional information: samaritans.org
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, the following organisations offer free, confidential support:
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge): 0808 2000 247 (Available 24/7). Offers a live text chat here.
Women’s Aid: A directory of local domestic abuse services across the UK here.
Men’s Advice Line (Respect): 0808 8010 327. Specialist support for male victims.
Galop: 0800 999 5428. Dedicated support for the LGBT+ community.
Support After Murder and Manslaughter: Offers a helpline (0121 472 2919), text support (07342 888 570) and support groups.
Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse: Offers specialist support and advocacy for families bereaved by domestic homicide or suicide, here.
Dr Kelly Bracewell
Kelly is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Lancashire focusing on gender-based violence, research & evaluation, survivor voices
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