On 9 July 2024, a horrific attack took place in Bushey North London. Tragically, a mother, Carol Hunt, 61, and her two daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were killed in their family home from the use of a crossbow.
This attack resulted in a manhunt to find the perpetrator. The leading suspect was found by officers that following day. Kyle Clifford, 26 and ex-partner of Louise Hunt, has now been arrested. Due to the relationship with one of the deceased, this attack was deemed as premeditated. Mr Clifford has not yet been questioned due to self-inflicted injuries on apprehension. The brutality of this incident sent shock waves around the nation, and once again had people questioning the safety of women within the UK. What can be done, and how?
The tragedy of this horrific event has shed light on the United Kingdom placing violence against women as a national threat. The National Police Chiefs Council published statistics stating that “a woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK”. Carol Hunt, Hannah Hunt, and Louise Hunt are names women the nation will think of, and sadly, they will be placed in the same bracket as Sarah Everard.
These women all had a violent and tragic death within the UK. Women will read their stories and start to fear the accessibility of weapons, such as a crossbow, which is legal to purchase in UK law without a license once over the age of 18. Women will read these stories and turn to each other, the internet, and the government to see what policies are in place as well as their effectiveness, to help them feel further protected. What can be changed in schools to increase awareness around consent and reduce violence against women? What policies need to be implemented to change the mindset of views surrounding women? These statistics must be corrected for the safety of women. These crimes are unacceptable. These statistics are unacceptable.
Are policies doing enough?
The Domestic Abuse Act of 2021 was highlighted by Victoria Atkins, Minister of Safeguarding, as a “landmark Bill that will help transform the response to domestic abuse, helping to prevent offending, protect victims and ensure they have the support they need”. However, from further research this act does not provide any additional funding for domestic abuse services and does not address the core root problems for domestic abuse (such as gender and poverty). Additionally, it does not give victims a say in the rebuilding of their life. These are all reasons why the safety of women in the UK is not being prioritised enough.
Furthermore, in 2024 Dr Andrew Murrison, previous MP Minister of Defence People and Families, published the Domestic Abuse Action Plan 2024-2029. Key values of this plan are aimed “to strengthen our response to domestic abuse through increased coordination, collaboration, and accountability. It calls on our key services to benchmark how they are responding to victims-survivors, and to identify what more can be done to provide effective support, including holding perpetrators to account”. These newly implemented strategies are hopeful in being effective, but sadly, the promise of ‘doing better’ does not bring much comfort to families and friends who are touched by these crimes, or the women praying that they will not have to endure horrors such as the Hunt family.
Shock waves from the Hunt’s tragic passing’s have spread uncertainty and anxiety amongst the population regarding the validity of what can be achieved, and what more can be done.
The Hunt story will be echoed across the UK, sadly driven by fear and pity for the family. The British public will want to know what measures are in place moving forward. Can schools do better at producing members of society that respect women? Statistics surrounding the connection between football results and abuse rates suggest otherwise.
As people mourn the loss of the Euro’s final, others will be fearing for their daughter’s safety, their sisters, friends, or neighbours. The statistics realised by The National Centre for Domestic Violence highlight the dangers women are in when the England team lose. It states, “The risk of domestic abuse rose by 26% when the English national team won or drew, and a 38% increase when the national team lost”.
Women should not be fearing for their lives at the outcome of a football game. Similarly, women should not be fearful that a police officer, someone who is set to protect them and uphold the law can strip them of their life, as Wayne Couzens did to Sarah Everard. Or fear for their safety whilst in the comfort of their home. Women should be safe with their mothers and sisters, and not have their lives stolen from them, as suspect Kyle Clifford’s did to the Hunts. What is being done to further the protection of women in society? If not now? Then when?
If you are worried about domestic abuse or know someone who may be struggling. Then please speak up today. Helplines are linked below; help is there to assist you in any situation you may find yourself in.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence