MERSEYSIDE Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell has backed calls for domestic abuse-related suicides to be formally recognised in law after a pioneering local pilot helped uncover previously hidden domestic abuse concerns following suspected suicides.

Kiena's Law, championed by Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw and AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse), is calling for domestic abuse-related suicides to be formally recognised in law and for greater accountability where coercive, controlling or abusive behaviour contributes to a victim's death.

Named after Kiena Dawes, who died in 2022 following sustained domestic abuse, the campaign seeks to ensure victims whose deaths are linked to domestic abuse are properly recognised within the criminal justice system and that lessons can be learned to help prevent future tragedies. The petition has already attracted more than 43,000 signatures, and Emily is now urging people across Merseyside to give their support to the calls for change by signing the petition here. 

The campaign comes as Merseyside concludes the 1st 6 months of its Domestic Abuse and Suicide Notification Scheme, developed in response to growing evidence that domestic abuse can be a significant factor in deaths by suicide, yet often remains hidden because many victims never report what they are experiencing.

Launched in January 2026, the pilot aims to improve the identification of domestic abuse following a suspected suicide, strengthen investigations and support opportunities for learning and prevention.

National research suggests fewer than 1 in 4 victims report domestic abuse, meaning opportunities to identify risk, intervene and learn lessons can be missed.

In its 1st 6 months, the scheme brought together police, councils, health services and specialist support organisations to identify signs of domestic abuse that may otherwise have gone unseen.

It led to:-

• 71 suspected suicides cases across Merseyside being screened.
• 3 cases of concern identified and the details shared with Merseyside Police and the Coroner's Office.
• 1 live investigation strengthened through the information provided
• Seven cases being escalated for Domestic Homicide Review consideration in Liverpool.

 
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "Kiena's family have shown remarkable courage in speaking so openly about their loss and in using their experiences to campaign for change. Their determination to ensure other families do not suffer in silence has helped bring much-needed attention to an issue that has remained hidden for too long. Kiena's Law seeks to ensure that the role domestic abuse can play in a victim's death is properly recognised and understood, and that victims whose experiences may previously have gone unseen are not overlooked. That is something I fully support."

Emily continued:- "The early findings from our pilot here in Merseyside demonstrate why this conversation is so important. By bringing agencies together following a suspected suicide, we have identified information that was not previously known to police, helping to build a fuller picture of victims' experiences and uncover indicators of abuse that may otherwise have remained hidden. We know many victims never report the abuse they are suffering, meaning the true scale and impact of domestic abuse may never be fully understood. It is vital that we continue to improve how agencies identify, share and assess information so opportunities for learning, accountability and prevention are not missed.

Emily added:- "While there is more work to do, our pilot has shown the value of a coordinated, multi-agency approach and provides further evidence of why greater recognition of domestic abuse-related suicides is needed. I am pleased to support the campaign for change being driven by Clive Grunshaw through Kiena's Law. By raising awareness of these often-hidden tragedies, we can help ensure the experiences of victims and their families are not forgotten. More than 43,000 people have already added their names to the petition and I would encourage people across Merseyside to read Kiena's story, support the campaign and add their voice to the growing calls for change. Together, we can help ensure more families are heard and that every opportunity is taken to learn from these tragic cases and prevent future harm."

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said:- "I'm delighted to see the continued backing for Kiena's Law regionally and nationally, adding weight to our calls to ensure the role domestic abuse can play in these tragic deaths is properly acknowledged, victims are recognised, and perpetrators are held to account. Kiena’s story has touched people across Lancashire and beyond. Angela Dawes' determination to campaign for change in her daughter’s memory is both courageous and inspiring. 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.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Lamb, Public Protection Unit said:- "Kiena's story is a powerful reminder of the devastating impact domestic abuse can have on victims and those who love them. It has also prompted important conversations nationally about how we recognise and respond to cases where abuse may be a contributing factor in a death by suicide. Through Merseyside's Domestic Abuse and Suicide Notification Scheme, we've seen the value of bringing policing, health, local authorities and specialist support services together to better understand the circumstances surrounding suspected suicides. The pilot has already identified cases where domestic abuse concerns may otherwise have remained hidden, helping to strengthen investigations and create opportunities for learning. The message is clear:- we cannot afford to overlook the role domestic abuse may play in deaths by suicide. By improving awareness, information-sharing and partnership working, we can better understand risk, learn from every case, and do everything possible to prevent other families experiencing such devastating loss."

The pilot was developed through Merseyside's Domestic Homicide Review Subgroup and has received strong support from partners, who reported improved information sharing, stronger partnership working and a greater understanding of the links between domestic abuse and suicide. Following the 6-month review, 92% of participating organisations said they would support the scheme continuing beyond the pilot period.

Find out more about Kiena's Law and sign the petition here.