There are sadly many cases where victims disclosed abuse, raised concerns, or were not fully believed or understood until after a serious assault or homicide. Every case is different, but they demonstrate why disclosures should be taken seriously.

Some well-known examples include:

• Shana Grice (UK) – Shana repeatedly reported stalking and harassment by her ex-partner to police. She was even fined for wasting police time after one report before she was murdered in 2016. Her case prompted widespread criticism of how stalking and domestic abuse complaints were handled. 
• Joanne Shaw (UK, 2026) – Joanne was killed after her former partner forced entry into her home carrying an explosive device. Police have referred themselves to the independent watchdog because there had been previous domestic incident reports involving the couple before the fatal attack. 
• Kimberly Milne (Scotland) – After enduring sustained domestic abuse, Kimberly died by suicide. In 2026, her husband was convicted of culpable homicide, in a landmark case recognising the devastating impact prolonged abuse can have. 
• Annie (UK) – Annie reported childhood abuse because she feared other children were at risk. She later brought legal action alleging serious failings in the prosecution of her case, arguing that important evidence was not presented. 

These cases highlight an important lesson: not every disclosure is ignored, but when warnings are minimised, misunderstood or not acted upon appropriately, the consequences can be devastating.

“After many domestic homicides, people say, ‘We never realised it was that bad.’ Yet Domestic Homicide Reviews repeatedly show that warning signs often existed. Victims may have told relatives, friends, neighbours, employers or professionals. Sometimes they were believed but the risk was underestimated. Sometimes they were dismissed, encouraged to stay quiet, or told to keep the family together. Abuse flourishes in silence. Listening to victims, taking disclosures seriously and responding appropriately can make the difference between ongoing abuse and safety.” 

This approach is evidence-based while recognising that each case has its own circumstances.