Cases
Alice Ruggles age 24: Stalking Murder - Northumbria October 2016
Alice’s murderer was the one person responsible for her death so blame being apportioned is not helpful although lessons need to be learned. Specialist trainers such as The Birdcage Training, with expert knowledge (see useful contact list for other helpful agencies) can enhance knowledge and provide training in order to save lives. Ultimately bereaved families want answers but also want to prevent this happening again.
Statutory agencies such as police are held responsible when there are murders, however, they do not always have the training and often their budgets have been cut, police work long hours and have to be specialists in everything.
Moving forward to best practice where could more training and education have been used to support Alice?
Statutory agencies such as police are held responsible when there are murders, however, they do not always have the training and often their budgets have been cut, police work long hours and have to be specialists in everything.
Moving forward to best practice where could more training and education have been used to support Alice?
- A cultural shift within the police force would see Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) trained in stalking - inclusive of 101/999 call handlers, frontline officers responding to incidents & CID etc. See link to IOPC.
- Universities such as Northumbria where Alice studied can opt to have domestic abuse and stalking training for safeguarding leads and for students.
- Alice worked at Sky – workplaces can receive training both at management level and staff.
- A hairdresser – Alice may have shared her fears with someone objective in the beauty industry.
Please see Alice’s story and donate to the Alice Ruggles Trust.
Also see the Alice Ruggles Trust website for advice on stalking especially cyber advice.
Also see the Alice Ruggles Trust website for advice on stalking especially cyber advice.
Click here to donate to the Alice Ruggles Trust and help put an end to stalking.
Helen Pearson age 34: Non-Intimate Stalking - Exeter October 2013
I have been privileged to get to know Helen and understand the trauma and tragedy surrounding Helen’s case. Helen was disbelieved by police….this lead to her multiple stabbing.
Who could have intervened retrospectively or in future?
Note: Devon & Cornwall police have received stalking training are responding much better currently.
Birdcage Training can help train police and give a victim-focused approach and ensure that victim barriers are removed.
Who could have intervened retrospectively or in future?
- Helen reported to police on 125 occasions – the 125th report was the multiple stabbing of Helen by her stalker.
- Police would have supported & saved her from being stabbed multiple times with the correct training and a victim-focused approach.
Note: Devon & Cornwall police have received stalking training are responding much better currently.
Birdcage Training can help train police and give a victim-focused approach and ensure that victim barriers are removed.
Laura Boon age 31 & Ella Dalby age 11: Domestic Homicide - Gloucestershire May 2018
- This case highlights the importance of always using the ACPO/NPCC DASH Risk assessment which contains the questions on children.
- Children are often at risk from harm or homicide when they are present at the time of attack.
- Homicide is the ultimate act of control = not a loss of control.
- Birdcage Training training will help your service immediately pick out the high risk factors prevalent in most Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) and Serious Case Reviews (SCRs): e.g. separation, threats to kill, etc and then ensure you know what to do with the risk.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire46110105
Katie Kemp age 31: Murder Suicide – Suffolk 6th August 2018
The ultimate act of control for domestic abuse/stalking perpetrators is murder; there have been numerous cases like this where the perpetrator has killed the victim and then themselves.
This is exactly why risk assessments should be carried out by any agency involved at the first opportunity. Often people say "it just came out of the blue" but these murders have a build up and trigger point and that can be separation, drugs, alcohol and a host of identifiable risk factors.
Getting it right the first time can save lives.
This is exactly why risk assessments should be carried out by any agency involved at the first opportunity. Often people say "it just came out of the blue" but these murders have a build up and trigger point and that can be separation, drugs, alcohol and a host of identifiable risk factors.
Getting it right the first time can save lives.
Frances Hubbard age 76: Murdered - Norfolk 23rd September 2018
Frances was the 100th woman to be murdered by her partner in England & Wales between January & September 2018. Frances was in her 70s and her murderer/partner was in his 80s.
Most women are murdered in their homes by their partner or former partner and most are murdered/stabbed with a sharp implement.
Please take some time to read the latest Femicide census which is an intrinsic piece of research.
This is an on-going murder investigation. As a professional I wonder:
Most women are murdered in their homes by their partner or former partner and most are murdered/stabbed with a sharp implement.
Please take some time to read the latest Femicide census which is an intrinsic piece of research.
This is an on-going murder investigation. As a professional I wonder:
- What happened when police were called out the night before her murder?
- Was the DASH risk assessment completed?
- Because of their age was this a barrier or an issue in some way?
Training can be offered by Alison to police on domestic and elder abuse.
Jane Clough age 26: Stalking Murder - Lancashire 25th July 2010
Jane aged 26 was murdered at Blackpool Royal Infirmary by her stalker who was on bail for rape charges.
John and Penny Clough have been tirelessly campaigning for a serial perpetrators register.
Sign their Stalkers Register Campaign today - sign here.
John and Penny Clough have been tirelessly campaigning for a serial perpetrators register.
Sign their Stalkers Register Campaign today - sign here.
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