The first case of a suspected suicide following a teenage relationship where both the victim and suspect were under 18 has been recorded by UK police, marking a tragic milestone in domestic abuse-related deaths. The case was among 150 suspected suicides linked to domestic abuse in the year to March 2025, according to a new report.
Rise in Domestic Abuse Among Teens
Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, the national policing lead for domestic abuse, attributed the rise to 'toxic influencers' online and increased access to violent pornography. 'People are now much more likely to access violent pornography which normalises violence and behaviour in a relationship, and particularly non-fatal strangulation, (which is) hugely dangerous,' she said. 'We see the connection between the sort of sense of toxic influencers online and their sort of views that are promoted about women and women's status in society.'
Police forces across the UK recorded 552 suspected suicides as a result of domestic abuse between April 2020 and March 2025, accounting for 38 per cent of all abuse-related deaths. During this period, 73 per cent of victims were women, primarily aged 25 to 54, while 79 per cent of suspects were male. The 16 to 19 age group has seen an increase in domestic abuse reporting.
Changes in Police Practice
A change in practice last year now requires police officers to check for a history of domestic abuse at the scene of suicides and unexpected deaths, leading to more investigations and posthumous charges. Over the five-year dataset, 17 cases of suspected suicide have resulted in a posthumous charge, while three are being investigated for unlawful manslaughter.
Notable cases include Nicholas Allen, jailed for 10 years in 2017 for the manslaughter of his ex-partner Justene Reece after intense stalking and coercive behaviour, and Lee Milne, jailed for eight years in Scotland after his sustained abuse led his wife, Kimberly Milne, to jump to her death from a bridge.
Campaign for New Law
Campaigners are calling for a new law to make suicide following domestic abuse a specific criminal offence, separate from manslaughter, to help juries understand the context. Frank Mullane from Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse said: 'We need a new law which separates suicide from domestic abuse, from manslaughter. I'm speculating that the average juror sees manslaughter as maybe a punch-up in a car park, other types of killing. I think if we separate suicide from domestic abuse, it will help educate the public.'
Report Findings
The annual Domestic Homicide Project, which analyses police-recorded domestic homicides, found 414 intimate partner homicides, 227 adult familial homicides, 553 suicides following domestic abuse, 131 unexpected deaths, 86 child deaths, and 41 other cases over five years. There have been four reported suicides where the victim was under 16 and the perpetrator over 18.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Jess Phillips welcomed the report and called for tougher action. 'Every life lost to domestic abuse is a devastating tragedy, and my thoughts are with families and loved ones left grieving. I welcome this important report, which highlights the link between domestic abuse and suicide, and reinforces the need for tougher action to stop perpetrators causing harm,' she said.
In the year to March 2025, there were 150 suspected suicides following domestic abuse, 80 murders by current or former intimate partners, 45 homicides by adult family members, and 43 unexpected deaths under investigation. Ms Rolfe said: 'This report reflects important progress in how policing is identifying risk and pursuing justice in new ways. But these findings are also a stark reminder that for too many victims, abuse was ongoing and already known before their death.'
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
