News/Blog

EmilyTest's response to: Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme (VKPP) Domestic Homicides and Suspected Victim Suicides (2020-2024) Year 4 report

Recently, the VKPP report on Domestic Homicide and Suspected Victim Suicides (2020-2024) was published, revealing a deeply concerning trend. It found that the number of victims of domestic abuse who took their own lives in England and Wales surpassed the amount of people killed by their partner for the second year in a row.

This report underscores an alarming reality: that domestic abuse does not only end in homicide, but it also drives many victims to suicide. A truth that we are sadly all too familiar with at EmilyTest.

The report revealed that coercive and controlling behaviour remains a significant risk factor in domestic abuse cases, underscoring the urgent need for stronger prevention measures and improved support for victim/survivors. Alarmingly, it also found that 27% of Suspected Victim Suicides after Domestic Abuse (SVSDA) had previously been strangled by their abuser – a known predictor of future homicide or suicide.

This concerning statistic reinforces the urgency of our petition to the Scottish Parliament, to urge the Scottish Government to make non-fatal strangulation a standalone criminal offense in Scotland. This crucial step will provide stronger protections for those at risk, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure that the justice system treats this serious form of violence with the gravity it deserves.

Additionally, the VKPP report emphasised the need for comprehensive investigations into unexpected deaths to uncover potential links to domestic abuse. Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe of the Metropolitan Police highlighted past investigative shortcomings and the necessity for heightened scrutiny in such cases.

Perhaps most shocking is that in the past four years, only 3% of abusers whose victim took their own lives have faced criminal charges. This devastating statistic underscores the urgent need for systemic reform. Domestic abuse-related suicides cannot continue to go unchallenged – real change is needed to protect lives.

At EmilyTest, we are encouraged to see this focus placed on SVSDA, as it acknowledges the profound impact of domestic abuse on victim/survivors. For us, this growing awareness is especially significant as this year Emily’s siblings are pursuing a civil case against Angus Milligan for loss of society of their sister.

This represents a notable milestone toward gaining justice and accountability for Emily, and all the victims of SVSDA. By shining a light on these often-overlooked tragedies, we move closer to holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring that stronger protections and safeguards are available to all victims in the future.

Together, we must remain committed to raising awareness, pushing for stronger legal protections, supporting survivors and holding abusers accountable. No one should be made to feel that taking their own life is their only escape from abuse.