Thousands of victims too scared to prosecute

Tragic Kiena case highlights horrific scale of abuse

- Matthew Davis

THE SHOCKING case of domestic abuse victim Kiena Dawes has put the spotlight on new police figures suggesting thousands of women could be living in fear of their partner.

The 23-year-old took her own life after two-and-a-half years of abuse and controlling behaviour by boyfriend Ryan Wellings, who was cleared of being responsible for her death.

But latest Home Office data show that under controlling and coercive behaviour laws, there were 60 horrific cases reported every day going unpunished, often because victims were too scared to take their abuser to court.

Over the past four years, there have been almost 100,000 cases where the victim has withdrawn their support for the prosecution.

Most such victims are thought to be women trapped in violent and abusive relationships.