Sharon Holland, a grieving mother from Southsea, England, has launched a determined campaign seeking to amend UK laws to include manslaughter charges for death by suicide resulting from coercive control. This initiative follows the tragic suicide of her daughter, Chloe Holland, after enduring prolonged domestic abuse.
Background of the Campaign
According to The News, Chloe Holland was just 23 years old when she took her life after a year of domestic violence inflicted by her partner, Marc Masterton. Despite Masterton’s subsequent conviction for coercive and controlling behavior, Sharon Holland believes that the punishment does not adequately reflect the severity of the consequences of his actions. Masterton was sentenced to 41 months in prison, a term Sharon argues is insufficient for the damage caused.
“He controlled who she spoke to, what friends she had on Facebook, he controlled her phone, I would say he controlled her finances, he controlled her freedom – and he also controlled her seeing her son,” Sharon detailed the extent of control Masterton had over Chloe [via The BBC].
The Petition
In response to her daughter’s death, Sharon has initiated a petition urging the UK Parliament to recognize coercive control leading to suicide as manslaughter. This legal change would hold perpetrators accountable for the extreme mental distress inflicted on victims that leads to fatal outcomes.
In another tragic case, 53-year-old fashion consultant, Tracey Ratcliffe, committed suicide after enduring years of coercive control and domestic abuse, which escalated as post-separation abuse during her divorce to her husband, Nicholas Ratcliffe.
“If someone has coerced someone into feeling that bad that they take their own life then that should be manslaughter or they should be held accountable for that,” Sharon expressed her rationale for the legal revision.
Public Support and Action
The campaign has gathered significant attention, amassing 15,000 signatures thus far. However, 100,000 are needed by May 1st for the issue to be considered for debate in Parliament. Sharon, supported by Portsmouth City Councillor Kirsty Mellor, emphasizes the need for public support to bring about this critical change.
“By signing this petition you’re not just standing with us in seeking justice for Chloe, you’re standing up for every person who has endured the horrors of domestic abuse. We need your voice to be heard in Parliament to demand change and to ensure that no more lives are lost in vain,” urged Sharon, highlighting the collective responsibility to protect future victims.
The campaign, punctuated by a poignant video from Sharon, seeks to transform personal tragedy into a catalyst for legal and societal change, ensuring that no more families endure similar heartbreak. The movement underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the full impact of domestic abuse and coercive control in legal terms.
Featured image: Chloe Holland committed suicide after enduring domestic abuse (representational image). Public Domain.
