The mother of a 23-year-old woman who died by suicide after enduring a violent relationship has pleaded with lawmakers to introduce a new criminal offence for domestic abuse-related suicide, saying, “Please make changes before girls have to die to be heard.”
Kiena Dawes' Story
Kiena Dawes took her own life on a railway line in Lancashire in July 2022 after a two-year abusive relationship with Ryan Wellings. In her suicide note, she wrote: “I was murdered. Ryan Wellings killed me. He ruined every bit of strength I had left. I had dreams. I had a future at one point. That was taken away from me.”
Wellings was tried for manslaughter at Preston Crown Court, where the court heard he regularly physically assaulted Kiena, slapped her, pulled her by her hair, and subjected her to verbal and financial abuse. He was acquitted of manslaughter but convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour and assault, receiving a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence in January 2025.
Campaign for Kiena's Law
Kiena's mother, Angela, has backed a campaign calling for a new law. The Kiena's Law petition, with almost 19,000 signatures, seeks to create a specific criminal offence of domestic abuse-related suicide. Speaking at an event in Blackpool, Angela said: “To have a standalone charge for things like what Kiena went through, I do feel is so important. 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.”
She added: “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.”
Victim Blaming and Systemic Gaps
Since Kiena's death, Angela has vowed to be a voice for her daughter and 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 also calls for coercive and controlling behaviour to be included within the “dangerous offender” framework.
Lancashire Police noted that the campaign has been spearheaded by Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, who worked closely with Angela and Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) to raise awareness and press for reform. Frank Mullane MBE, CEO of AAFDA, said Kiena's case “exposed a serious gap in the law.”
“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,” Mullane said. “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.”
Political Support
Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw described Angela as “courageous and inspiring.” 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.”
The petition is available at www.change.org/kienas-law.
