The mother of Kiena Dawes has backed calls for a new law in her daughter's name after she took her own life following prolonged domestic abuse.
Campaign for 'Kiena's Law'
Angela Dawes is supporting a campaign for 'Kiena's Law' after her 23-year-old daughter died in July 2022 following what a court heard was a prolonged campaign of abuse by her former partner Ryan Wellings. The petition, made by Lancaster Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, has gained almost 19,000 signatures.
The petition calls for a new criminal offence of domestic abuse-related suicide, recognising cases where prolonged coercive and controlling behaviour contributes to a victim taking their own life. Speaking at an event in Blackpool this month, Angela said the proposed law could help prevent other families suffering the same heartbreak.
Mother's plea
'To have a standalone charge for things like what Kiena went through, I do feel is so important,' she said. 'Nothing is ever going to bring my baby back, but if we can change things moving forward, I'd hate to see another family go through what we've been through. My girl didn't want to die. My girl wanted to live. But she lived in fear.'
'We've lost a beautiful, very special, kind young girl who's missed so much, not just by me but by so many other people. Please make changes before girls have to die to be heard. I can't personally save any other girls, but I hope I can help by saying this. Please don't give up, all of you who are working so hard for these changes. Please don't give up. Let's stop losing girls in this way.'
Details of the case
Kiena died on a railway line in Lancashire in July 2022 after a two-year relationship with Wellings. During his trial at Preston Crown Court, jurors heard he regularly physically assaulted Kiena, slapping her, 'ragging' her by the hair and subjecting her to verbal and financial abuse.
In a note written before her body was found, Kiena said she was 'murdered', and said Wellings 'killed' her. She wrote that he had 'ruined every bit of strength' she had left, and that her 'future' was 'taken away' from her. Wellings was acquitted of manslaughter but convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour and assault. He was jailed for six-and-a-half years in January 2025.
Campaign for legal reform
Since her daughter's death, Angela has vowed to campaign in Kiena's memory and for others who have died in similar circumstances. She said: 'Changes need to be made. Girls shouldn't have to die to be heard, and my daughter had to die to be heard. There was so much victim blaming.'
The campaign is also calling for coercive and controlling behaviour to be included within the dangerous offender framework. The campaign is headed by Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, who has worked alongside Angela and Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) to raise awareness of domestic abuse-related suicide and push for changes to the law.
Frank Mullane MBE, chief executive of AAFDA, said Kiena's case had 'exposed a serious gap in the law'. He said: 'Too often, when a victim dies by suicide following prolonged domestic abuse, coercive control and intimidation, the full impact of that abuse is not recognised by the criminal justice system.'
'Angela's courage and determination have helped shine a light on this issue, but this campaign is about much more than one family. Kiena's Law represents an opportunity to recognise the devastating and sometimes fatal consequences of coercive and controlling behaviour, improve accountability and help prevent future deaths. We owe it to Kiena and to every family affected by domestic abuse-related suicide to make that change.'
Commissioner's support
Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw praised Angela's determination to secure reform. He said: 'Kiena's story has touched people across Lancashire and beyond.'
'We must continue to learn lessons, improve protections for victims and ensure that women and girls are supported when they seek help. I would encourage people to support the petition and help keep this important conversation at the forefront of public and political debate.'
