Edinburgh, Scotland – The Fallen Women group is advocating for a crucial shift in the way police handle cases of domestic abuse linked to murder investigations. They are urging authorities to prioritize domestic abuse as a key line of inquiry in instances where women have fallen from a height, to prevent abusers from evading justice.
According to estimates by the Killed Women campaign group, there may be as many as 130 “hidden homicides” annually in England and Wales. These cases involve women who are murdered by a partner or family member, but their deaths are mistakenly classified as accidental or suicide. This discrepancy underscores the pressing need for a thorough review of such cases.
The launch of the Fallen Women campaign coincides with the debut of a documentary on Channel 4 called The Push: Murder on the Cliff. The documentary narrates the tragic story of Fawziyah Javed, a Leeds lawyer who was fatally pushed from Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh by her abusive husband. Javed’s case serves as a stark reminder of the grave consequences of unchecked domestic violence.
Kashif Anwar, Javed’s husband, is currently serving a life sentence for her murder. Javed, who was 17 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, had taken proactive measures to protect herself, including recording Anwar’s threats and consulting a divorce lawyer. Her bravery in speaking out against her abuser ultimately provided crucial evidence for the prosecution.
The untimely death of Javed sheds light on the systemic challenges faced by victims of domestic abuse. Families of victims, as part of the Killed Women network, emphasize the need for a more rigorous investigation into cases where women have fallen from a height. Proper handling of these cases is imperative to ensure that justice is served and prevent further tragedies.
The lack of professional curiosity in investigating cases of fallen women and hidden homicides is a cause for concern, as it indicates gaps in the current justice system. Campaigners stress the importance of treating domestic abuse as a primary line of inquiry to facilitate successful convictions and prosecutions in such cases.
As the Fallen Women group pushes for increased scrutiny into cases of domestic abuse-related deaths, the broader conversation around intimate partner violence and its devastating impact on victims and their families gains momentum. By advocating for systemic changes in how these cases are handled, campaigners aim to bring justice to victims and prevent future tragedies from occurring.