Remembering Diane Cleary and the 112 Other Lives Lost to Domestic Abuse
As each name was called, my heart shattered. And tears streamed from my eyes, the eary silence and harsh truth – 113 lives lost. Another year. More women and children taken by violence. When will it end?
Most were killed by a man they knew—a partner, an ex, a family member. Not by a stranger in a dark alley, but by someone they trusted. Murdered in their own homes—the very place that should have been their sanctuary.
Among them were Juliana Falcon (48), Kyle Prosper (16), and Giselle Prosper (13)—their futures stolen. And here, in my own town of Luton, four lives were taken. It feels raw. Too close. Too real. Because it is.
We all stood together at the Million Women Protest March, walking in solidarity, grief, and defiance. But honouring them is not enough—we must demand change.
So, what will end this?
1. Stronger laws and enforcement. Domestic abusers must face real consequences before it’s too late.
2. Education from an early age. Boys must be taught that control is not love.
3. Girls must be empowered to recognise red flags.
4. Funding for women’s refuges and support services. No woman should be turned away when she seeks safety.
5. A shift in culture. No more silence. No more “it’s not my business.” Every one of us has a role in stopping this.
6. Protection orders must be stronger, properly enforced, and carry real consequences when breached.
Right now, too many women get restraining orders against violent partners, yet those partners continue to harass, stalk, and even kill them—often with little to no intervention from authorities. A protection order should be more than just a piece of paper; it should come with:
Immediate police response when breached
Serious legal consequences, including jail time
Electronic monitoring for high-risk offenders
Automatic risk assessments to prevent escalation
Without proper enforcement, these orders fail to protect the very people they are meant to safeguard. Women shouldn’t have to live in fear after seeking help. A system that fails to act until it’s too late is a system that must change.
To the families left behind—I see you. I hold space for your pain. And to every woman and girl living in fear—you are not alone.
We must turn remembrance into #ActionInMotion. We must #AccelerateAction. Until no more names are added to this list.