Statement on Ryan Wellings sentencing
The sentencing of Ryan Wellings to six and a half years in prison highlights the urgent need to address the profound harm caused by coercive and controlling behaviour. While the sentence acknowledges the seriousness of his actions, it falls short of reflecting the deep and lasting impact on victims like Kiena Dawes and their families.
Survivors repeatedly voice to us their concerns that current sentencing does not sufficiently account for the enduring trauma inflicted or serve as an effective deterrent to other perpetrators. As an organisation dedicated to ending domestic abuse, we stand resolutely with every victim and survivor who has endured the devastating effects of control, manipulation, and fear.
A decade of coercive control legislation
This case highlights the critical importance of recognising coercive behaviour as a significant form of abuse. It has been 10 years since coercive and controlling behaviour became a criminal offence. This landmark legislation was a vital step in shifting societal understanding of domestic abuse beyond physical violence to include the insidious, often invisible ways perpetrators exert power over their victims.
Kiena Dawes: a case that demands change
The case of Ryan Wellings brings this into sharp focus. Wellings subjected Kiena Dawes to relentless coercion and control, using social media, text messages, and physical intimidation to isolate and manipulate her. Even after Kiena ended the relationship, Wellings escalated his abuse, threatening her family and continuing to exert control over her life. The relentless nature of his behaviour ultimately drove Kiena to take her own life, leaving behind a poignant note describing her torment and inability to see a way forward, as well as her young daughter, who will now grow up without her mother.
Tragically, Kiena’s story reflects a reality faced by far too many women. Each year, it is estimated that around 200 women take their own lives because of the trauma of domestic abuse. These heartbreaking numbers remind us that Kiena’s experience is far from unique—it’s part of a devastating pattern that demands urgent action.
The link between Domestic Abuse and Mental Health
The co-epidemics of domestic abuse and poor mental health are deeply intertwined. SafeLives’ 2019 research report, ‘Psychological Violence,’ revealed that almost half (47%) of domestic abuse survivors have experienced suicidal thoughts due to nonphysical abuse. For many, like Kiena, the relentless nature of coercive control takes a profound toll on mental health, leaving victims feeling trapped and hopeless. Despite this, domestic abuse remains frequently undetected within mental health services, and opportunities to connect survivors to specialist support or address perpetrators’ behaviour are all too often missed. This gap in understanding and action can have fatal consequences, making it imperative that we bridge these divides and provide the necessary interventions.
The danger of Post-Separation Abuse
The period following separation is particularly lethal for victims of domestic abuse, as perpetrators often escalate their control and violence when their power is threatened. Survivors deserve a justice system that prioritises their safety, ensures swift action, and reduces opportunities for perpetrators to reassert control.
Training and systemic change
SafeLives is working to address these challenges through our training, like our ‘DA Matters’ culture change programme, which improves police understanding of domestic abuse, including the psychological impact of coercive and controlling behaviour and its link to suicidality. Our ‘Workshop for Cops’ delves deeper into this causal link, aiming to prevent tragedies like Kiena’s.
We have long been calling for trauma-informed approaches across all aspects of the criminal justice process. This includes acknowledging how trauma can affect survivors’ ability to articulate their experiences and ensuring that their voices are heard and respected throughout proceedings. Victim Liaison Officers play a crucial role in supporting survivors, but more must be done to ensure their involvement is consistent and sensitive, especially at the end of sentencing.
Through our work, we continue to call for:
- Enhanced training for police, prosecutors, and judges to improve the identification and handling of coercive control cases.
- Increased funding for specialist domestic abuse services, including Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (Idvas), who play a crucial role in supporting survivors to rebuild their lives.
- Trauma-informed approaches across all services coming into contact with survivors and perpetrators of domestic abuse—including police, child and adult social care, schools, and housing providers.
- Public awareness campaigns to help people recognise the signs of coercive control and seek support.
The time to act is now. Every survivor’s story, including those highlighted by devastating cases like Kiena Dawes’, reinforces the urgency of our collective mission to create a society where no one lives in fear of domestic abuse.
We will continue to work alongside survivors, frontline professionals, and policymakers to ensure coercive and controlling behaviour is identified, understood, and eradicated. We owe it to every victim and survivor to ensure their voices lead to action and that no one is left behind.
Need Support?
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, support is available. Visit www.safelives.org.uk/gethelp for support or contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247.