This campaign is focused on policy change and awareness. No details will be discussed about any individual case or any ongoing investigation.

Mary’s Law calls for recognition and investigation of domestic abuse-related suicide in Northern Ireland. Domestic abuse affects both women and men, and this campaign supports all victims and families seeking answers.

Domestic abuse and coercive control can have devastating consequences. In some cases, prolonged abuse can contribute to a person taking their own life.

Across the UK there is growing recognition that domestic abuse can play a direct role in suicide. Recently in Scotland, a man was convicted after his wife died by suicide following sustained domestic abuse. This historic case has highlighted the role abuse can play in a victim’s death. Discussions are also taking place in the UK Parliament about whether suspected domestic abuse-related suicides should be investigated in the same way as homicide cases.

However, in Northern Ireland there is currently no clear framework for recognising or recording suicides where domestic abuse may have been a contributing factor.

Police statistics show that in the year ending March 2025 there were six domestic abuse-related homicides in Northern Ireland, and since 2020 29 women have been killed. Yet there are no official statistics for domestic abuse-related suicides.

Since 2020, Domestic Homicide Reviews have been introduced in Northern Ireland when abuse is suspected in a death. These reviews have helped identify lessons about coercive control and domestic abuse. However, suicides linked to abuse are not always reviewed in the same way.

This means the true scale of abuse-related deaths may remain hidden and uncounted.

Mary’s Law calls for change so that victims are not overlooked.

We are calling on the Northern Ireland Executive and the Department of Justice to:

• Recognise domestic abuse-related suicide as a category of death where abuse may have been a contributing factor

• Ensure suspected abuse-related suicides are formally reviewed

• Introduce national recording of domestic abuse-related suicide statistics

• Improve investigation guidance where coercive control and domestic abuse may have contributed to a death

Domestic abuse can destroy lives.

Sometimes it ends in murder.

Sometimes it ends in suicide.

Both deserve recognition and proper investigation.

If abuse can drive someone to take their own life, the law must recognise it.

No victim should be forgotten.