More manslaughter charges promised after rise in domestic abuse-related suicides

More domestic abusers will be charged with manslaughter when victims end their own lives, police have pledged after figures showed suicides continue to outnumber intimate partner killings. For the second year running, the most common cause of death among victims in England and Wales was suspected suicide, an annual national police report on domestic homicides revealed.LouisaRolfe, national policing lead for domestic abuse,said the 1,012 domestic abuse-related deaths recorded in the past four years was a ‘grim milestone’ and ‘shows how deeply ingrained violence against women and girls is in our communities’.Of those, 354 were classified as suspected victim suicide following domestic abuse (SVSDA). However, only 12 cases saw charges brought against a suspect, including one – Ryan Wellings – for manslaughter. That represents just 3% of abusers being charged.Ms Rolfe said it is ‘heartening’ that more police investigations are being launched into fatalities following domestic abuse.‘I’ve me...