In a heart-wrenching revelation that has sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom, the toll of women allegedly killed by men has surged to an appalling 80 in the year 2024 alone. This staggering figure, meticulously tracked by dedicated campaigns like Counting Dead Women, the Femicide Census, and Killed Women, lays bare the ugly reality of gender-based violence that continues to plague our society.
Remembering the Lives Lost
Behind each number lies a story—a vibrant life cut short, a family shattered, dreams unfulfilled. From 21-year-old Phoenix Spencer-Horn to 96-year-old Emma Finch, these women span generations and walks of life. They were mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, each leaving an indelible mark on those who loved them.
Each of these women mattered. They need to matter much more to politics.
– Jess Phillips, Minister for Violence Against Women and Girls
Yet their lives were brutally cut short, predominantly by current or former partners, as the Femicide Census reveals. This chilling statistic underscores the pervasive nature of domestic violence and the urgent need for systemic change.
A Call for Justice
As the nation mourns, campaigners and bereaved families are united in their clarion call for justice. Karen Ingala Smith, co-founder of the Femicide Census, poignantly states:
Each of these women deserves to be remembered by name and as more than just another statistic.
– Karen Ingala Smith, Femicide Census co-founder
The Killed Women campaign network, representing bereaved families, echoes this sentiment, declaring:
These are our daughters, mothers, sisters and loved ones; we won’t stop fighting for protection and justice for all women.
– Killed Women campaign network
Confronting the Grim Reality
The stark reality is that a woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK, according to ONS homicide statistics. Of these tragic deaths, a staggering 53% are at the hands of a current or former partner, the Femicide Census reports. These figures paint a grim picture of the pervasive threat women face, often from those closest to them.
Demanding Systemic Change
As the death toll mounts, so too does the urgency for comprehensive action. Campaigners are demanding:
- Increased funding for domestic abuse services and refuges
- Mandatory training for police, judiciary, and frontline professionals
- Harsher sentences for domestic homicides
- A national remembrance day for victims of femicide
Beyond policy changes, a fundamental shift in societal attitudes is crucial. We must confront the deep-rooted misogyny and toxic masculinity that fuels violence against women. Education, from an early age, on healthy relationships, consent, and respect is paramount.
In Memory and In Action
As we honor the memory of the 80 women whose lives were so brutally taken, let their legacy be a catalyst for change. May their names forever be etched in our collective consciousness:
Karen, Phoenix, Carol, Hannah, Louise, Rhiannon, Mashal…
The list goes on, each name a painful reminder of the lives lost and the work still to be done. In their memory, we must act—fiercely, urgently, and unrelentingly—until every woman can live free from the specter of violence. Only then can we truly say their deaths were not in vain.
In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit the Killed Women website for details of other support agencies.
– Support information
