The tragic death of Roisin Hunter Bennett, a 19-year-old from Darlington, England, has led to a landmark ruling acknowledging that her ex-boyfriend’s emotional abuse of her played a significant role in her suicide. Following this ruling, Durham Police have now reopened the investigation into Roisin’s death. Roisin’s story has sparked calls for coroners to have a deeper understanding of the impact of coercive control and emotional abuse in cases of suicide.
Controlling Relationship
BBC reports that Roisin Hunter Bennett tragically took her own life on 16 March 2022 after enduring two years of emotional abuse and coercive control by her ex-boyfriend.
Roisin’s mother, Margaret Hunter said that Roisin began dating Patrick Walsh when she was just 17. According to Teeside Live, Margaret quickly grew concerned about the controlling and coercive nature of the relationship. She recalls that even after Roisin ended the relationship shortly before her death, the abuse continued through incessant messages.
Roisin’s parents, Margaret Hunter and Tony Bennett, advocate for increased awareness that emotional abuse can happen in any relationship, including those involving teenagers. They highlight that mobile phones are often the ‘weapon of choice’ in such cases.
Inquest Rules on Roisin Hunter Bennett’s Death
In January 2023, during the inquest into Roisin’s death, County Durham and Darlington assistant coroner James Thompson concluded that Roisin had taken her life due to the pressures of her relationship ending and the demands of her studies and work.
Roisin’s parents felt this conclusion did not reflect the reality of Roisin’s experience. They maintained that emotional abuse and coercive control by her ex-boyfriend, Patrick Walsh, played a key role in her suicide.
During the inquest, Margaret and Tony pointed out that there were 60,000 texts and social media messages exchanged between Roisin and her ex-boyfriend over two years. However, the inquest only considered the messages from the 48 hours before her suicide attempt.
“For anyone who knows anything about coercive and controlling behaviour, that in itself shows a fundamental misunderstanding,” Margaret said. “Coercive and controlling behaviour is a pattern of behaviour which occurs over a long period of time.” [via BBC]
Successful Appeal and Investigation Reopened
Tony and Margaret successfully appealed the coroner’s conclusion in the High Court. In a Judicial Review, the coroner amended the inquest findings to acknowledge that Roisin’s suicide was “due to an emotionally abusive relationship.”
Roisin’s ex-partner denied any wrongdoing and did not attend either the inquest or the judicial review.
Durham Police initially stated there would be no criminal prosecution, but following the High Court’s landmark ruling, they have reopened the investigation into Roisin’s death and a full review will now take place.
Better Recognition of Abuse in Suicides
Roisin’s parents are advocating for better recognition of the severe effects of controlling behavior, which they believe contributed to their daughter’s decision to take her own life.
“I feel as though it is incumbent on the chief coroner who is in charge to urgently issue guidelines on domestic abuse-related suicide so that he can give his coroners some clarity,” Margaret said [via BBC].
Margaret believes that new guidelines would help them handle evidence of abuse without fear of seeming to overstep their remit. Tony Bennett adds that such guidance would assist coroners in dealing with the evidence of abuse while ensuring they do not appear to apportion blame.
Roisin’s Legacy
Roisin’s parents remember her as a vibrant and talented individual. She excelled in sports, drama, dancing, and singing, and had a promising career ahead of her. Roisin worked at Darlington Specsavers for three and a half years and was one of the youngest students in the country studying for her dispensing optician exams. Her goal was to qualify as an optician and continue her studies at university.
Margaret and Tony Bennett now live with the pain of losing their only child but are determined to highlight the urgent need for better understanding and recognition of coercive control and emotional abuse within the legal system. By pushing for new guidelines, Roisin’s parents hope to bring about changes that will protect other victims and ensure that their daughter’s legacy leads to meaningful reform.
Featured image: Roisin Hunter Bennett. Source: Family handout
