As a child, I witnessed my mother's murder.

On the left, we see Daniel Wing's mother, Tina, standing next to her son and two other women, Claire Marshall and Joanna Simpson. However, the photo holds a tragic story behind it, one that involved the brutal murder of Claire at the hands of her ex-boyfriend.

Roann Court, then just 15 years old, was a witness to her mother's death. In an interview with Metro, Roann recalls the events that took place in January 2009. Her mother had left her abusive ex-boyfriend after enduring a decade of mistreatment, but he returned to their home 18 months later, "like a lion stalking his prey," as Roann describes it. He asked Roann to leave and then proceeded to violently attack Claire, eventually using a knife to "pretty much decapitate" her in the living room.

The now 31-year-old Roann shares that watching her mother die in such a brutal manner was "horrific." She attempted to get help but also went back into the house to rescue her younger sister. Roann herself was almost attacked by the perpetrator, but she managed to escape. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident, as 200 children are bereaved through homicide each year, just like Roann and her sister.

Roann has since struggled with her mental health and has been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and hypervigilance. She credits therapy for helping her reach a better mindset, but according to Katherine Cavallo, a UKCP accredited Systemic Family and Couple Psychotherapist, losing a parent to domestic homicide can have long-lasting consequences on a child's mental well-being. The closer the child is to the incident, the more profound and traumatic the effects can be.

Cavallo also notes that in many cases of domestic femicide, the child has already been exposed to abuse. This context is crucial in understanding the long-term consequences for the child. The Femicide Census found that in 2020, 110 women were killed by men, and over half of these perpetrators had a history of violence and abuse towards women.

Roann fondly remembers her mother as "amazing" and always having a smile on her face. Prior abuse is a common factor in domestic femicide cases, and a survey by Killed Women found that 66% of family members were aware of the killer's history of violence or abuse.

Shockingly, between March 2020 and March 2022, 67.3% of domestic homicide victims were female, with the suspect being male in 241 of the 249 cases. In the majority of these cases, the suspect was a current or former male partner. These statistics are alarming, and Women's Aid has found that women are over three times more likely to be killed by a partner than by not wearing a seatbelt.

The Killed Women survey also revealed that only 4% of bereaved family members believed the killing was not preventable at all. Sadly, this was the case for Joanna Simpson, who was killed by her estranged husband, Robert Brown, just five days before their divorce was to be finalized. Joanna was a successful business owner and mother of two, but she was also a victim of domestic abuse, which escalated to severe violence.

According to the Office of National Statistics, nearly half of women murdered by their partner or ex-partner are killed within a month of separation, and 90% are killed within a year. Joanna's body was found buried in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park, just five days after she was killed.

In 2014, Joanna's mother, Diana Parkes, and close friend, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, set up The Joanna Simpson Foundation in her memory. Joanna strongly believed in providing a safe and loving environment for all children, and the foundation aims to support children who have witnessed domestic abuse or homicide. Diana and Hetti refer to these children as the "forgotten victims" and work towards helping them heal and rebuild their lives.

Unfortunately, there is currently no consistent response for children affected by these crimes, and they often have little agency and can be bounced around from foster parent to foster parent. Through the foundation, they strive to provide these children with the support and stability they need.

For those experiencing domestic abuse, there is help available. Domestic abuse charity Refuge suggests keeping a record of abusive incidents and gathering important documents in case you need to leave quickly. It's also essential to identify a safe place in your home and make a plan for leaving if you feel ready. There are also local refuges available, and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is open 24/7 and can provide details of refuges in your area.

In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the police. If you are unable to speak, try the Silent Solution by dialing 999 and responding to the operator's questions with coughing or tapping your device. If prompted, press 55 to let the operator know it's an emergency. It's important to know that you are not alone and that help is available.
On the left side of the photo, we see Tina, the mother of Daniel Wing, standing next to her son. On the right side stands Claire Marshall and her daughter, Roann Court, along with Joanna Simpson. This seemingly normal photo, however, holds a dark and tragic story that has left a lasting impact on Roann and her family.

At just 15 years old, Roann witnessed her mother, Claire, being brutally killed by her ex-boyfriend. The abuse had started during their 10-year relationship, and after Claire finally left him, he returned to their home 18 months later. Roann recalls how he came in like a predator on the hunt, demanding that she and her younger sister leave the house. But then, he turned his rage towards Claire, attacking her with a pen knife and then a larger knife from the kitchen. In the end, Roann's mother was "pretty much decapitated" in their living room.

The trauma of losing her mother in such a horrific way has left a lasting impact on Roann's mental health. She struggles with PTSD, anxiety, and hypervigilance on a daily basis, despite having received therapy and being in a good mindset now. According to psychotherapist Katherine Cavallo, losing a parent to domestic homicide can have profound and long-lasting consequences on a child's mental wellbeing, particularly in terms of complex grief and trauma.

It's important to note that Roann's case is not an isolated incident. The Femicide Census found that in 2020, 110 women were killed by men, and in 53% of these cases, the perpetrators had a history of abuse and violence against women. Roann's mother was one of these victims, and Roann remembers her as an amazing woman who always had a smile on her face.

Unfortunately, prior abuse is a common factor in cases of domestic femicide. A survey by Killed Women revealed that 66% of family members were aware of the killer's history of violence or abuse. From March 2020 to March 2022, 67.3% of domestic homicide victims were female, and in 74.7% of cases, the suspect was a male partner or ex-partner.

It's a sobering fact that, on average, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner. And in the period between March 2020 and March 2022, 249 female domestic homicide victims were recorded, with the suspect being male in 241 of these cases. Women's Aid has also found that women are over three times more likely to be killed by a partner than by not wearing a seatbelt.

But what about the children who are left behind? A survey by Killed Women found that only 4% of bereaved family members believed that their loved one's killing was not preventable. This was the case for Joanna Simpson, who was brutally murdered by her estranged husband just one week before their divorce was to be finalized.

Joanna's mother, Diana Parkes, and close friend, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, describe children as the "forgotten victims" of these heinous crimes. In 2014, they set up the Joanna Simpson Foundation to support children who have witnessed domestic abuse or homicide in healing and rebuilding their lives. This initiative is desperately needed, as there is currently no consistent response for these children, who often end up moving from one foster parent to another.

For those who are experiencing domestic abuse, there is help available. Refuge suggests keeping a record of abusive incidents, such as saving messages or taking pictures, and making notes of dates, times, and details. It's also important to gather important documents, like court orders and identification, and identify safe areas of the home in case of an emergency. If you feel ready to leave, make a plan and pack an emergency bag with essentials. You can also access a local refuge or call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for support and information.

In emergency situations, call 999 and ask for the police. If you are unable to talk, you can use the Silent Solution by dialing 999 and responding to the operator's questions with coughing or tapping. Press 55 if prompted to let the operator know it's an emergency, and you'll be connected to the police. It's important to know that you are not alone and that there are resources available to help you.

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