Life or Death? Preventing Domestic Homicides and Suicides of Black and Minoritised Women

Today Imkaan and Centre for Women’s Justice launch our groundbreaking research, Life or Death the first of its kind,  on the deaths of Black and minoritised women due to domestic abuse. The research,  undertakes a deep dive into the issue through an examination of detailed case studies including 38 domestic homicides, six suicides following domestic abuse and two case studies of women who killed their abusive partners.  Poignantly, we launch our new report during the week where there has been another horrifying murder of a 35 year old woman.  Perseverance Ncube, was stabbed to death on 10 November in her home in Salford In front of her two young children.  

The report Life or Death  highlights (1) the barriers women face when they seek help  and how state failures by police and other services, against a backdrop of intersecting race and sex discrimination have contributed to the tragic deaths of Black and minoritised women. This new research is based on 46 case studies of post death investigations from the past 10 years, reviews of data available and the insights of frontline workers from the specialist by and for women’s sector.  Examining the obstacles faced by Black and minoritised women who lose their lives in domestic homicide and suicide in the context of domestic abuse, the research focuses on the issues they face over and above, and in addition to, the obstacles faced by white women. The research also underlines the need for a reversal of funding cuts to the specialist by and for sector and shows how a number of deaths could have been avoided if such services had been available to some of the women in the study.

Mary Clarke - Interim Co-Executive Director stated: 

‘Our data shows that almost all the women who were killed were not receiving support from ‘by and for’ services, even though 71% did disclose abuse to agencies. Chantelle, one of the women from our research, had approached the police to report her abuse but they minimised her situation which resulted in her not reporting to the police again. No action was taken by the police, and she was killed by her partner a few weeks later. Chantelle’s experience is one that we see sadly, time and time again. By and for services provide specialist, lifesaving and transformative support for Black & minoritised women and children. Unfortunately, many women cannot obtain support from the ‘by and for’ sector because it is so severely under-funded, and there are some areas of the country that lack any form of specialist support. Black and minoritised organisations are at five times less likely to obtain statutory funding compared to mainstream organisations . This is reflected in data which shows that only 7.6% of local authorities in England fund Black and minoritised by and for VAWG organisations.. It is vital that we address the systemic failures and gaps in specialist support - otherwise Black and minoritised women will always remain in greater danger of femicide’. 

Imkaan members responding to the report findings and in particular on the importance of ensuring there is appropriate protection and support in place to prevent femicide said:

Empowering Black and minoritised women through by and for (2)services like our organisation are vital, recognising that diverse communities require specialised, culturally sensitive support to thrive. It ensures that their voices, unique needs and experiences take centre stage, driving the transformation they deserve. Authentic solutions arise when those with lived experiences lead the way.

Harriet Wistrich Director of Centre for Women’s Justice said, “The report highlights a number of ways in which the state failings may amount to indirect discrimination and be in breach of obligations signed up to in international treaty conventions. We intend to explore further action to challenge such failings and call for all state agencies concerned to consider and implement the recommendations in the report

Joyce Simon: CEO - Anah Project (Bradford) 

By and for specialist VAWG services are integral to identifying the context, complexities and nuances of violence and abuse Black and minoritised women’s lives. Our meaningful participation and involvement in Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) is missing but vital because of the knowledge, understanding, and valuable information we hold from narratives of the women and girls approaching our services.  The Black and minoritised women we support are subjected to racism, misogyny, homophobia, islamophobia and many other biases and experiences that lead to multiple service failures. Our support system is supposed to provide a safety net for all, but  we cannot afford to ignore the issues that lead to further harm and trauma in women’s lives, and which have contributed to their death. 

Meril Eshun - Parker: Director - London Black Women’s Project (London) 

Specialist by and for services tailored to Black and minoritised women’s needs are ESSENTIAL for promoting culturally sensitive services, recognising the unique challenges women face due to their cultural backgrounds, language barriers, discrimination, cultural stigma and immigration status. A specialist by and for service also plays a vital role in raising awareness, educating communities, advocating on behalf of women and amplifying women’s voices - enhancing the overall well-being of Black and minoritised women.

Sandra Manak: Interim CEO - Panahghar (Midlands) 

Report Link

Executive Summary Link 

 1 The lead author of the report is Nogah Ofer, Solicitor at Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ)  

2 See Imkaan: definition for ‘by and for’ Black, minoritised women https://www.imkaan.org.uk/by-and-for