Domestic Abuse Survivor Fran Murphy Collaborates with Police to Enhance Victim Support

Fran Murphy, a survivor of domestic abuse, experienced inadequate support when she initially reported her abuser to law enforcement. She now utilizes her personal history to enhance police officers’ engagement with victims. “I was absolutely petrified.” Fran recounts, her voice softening, the instant she escaped her abuser. “I just felt helpless, a shell of myself. Looking back now, I probably wasn’t too far away from him killing me,” she states. “I’d never want anybody to go through that, it drives me.” Fran, aged 45, indicates that the treatment she received when seeking assistance made her feel “voiceless.” She explains: “I contacted police many, many times, even my neighbours contacted them.” She adds, “The final time, they came out, but I wasn’t treated like a victim.” Fran states that her perpetrator was assigned an offender management officer “because he was deemed to be so dangerous, but I was given absolutely no support whatsoever.” “The violence got worse and worse and worse,” she remarks. “When you’re involved in that situation, it is like you are screaming, but nothing is coming out.” Fran discovered strength through the Leeds Domestic Violence Service and is involved with its Abuse Voices project. She expresses hope that the initiative, which is commissioned by Leeds City Council and supported by West Yorkshire Police, will “drive change.” Individuals participating in the project convey their experiences to police officers during their training sessions. Nicola Marlow, the project manager, recalls the sense of expectation preceding the group’s initial gathering. “I think there was nervousness from both sides,” she comments. “When victim-survivors shared their experiences, which in some cases were not very positive, the police openly discussed how things could have been done differently.” She added that “Within a week of us talking to them, they told us they were making internal departmental changes so there was better communication for victims.” The offender management team currently collaborates directly with specialized domestic abuse officers. The application of Clare’s Law, a measure allowing individuals to ascertain if their partner has a history of abuse, has seen a 700% rise. Furthermore, remanding offenders in custody following charges has increased by 40%. Det Supt Heather Wilson states: “I can’t emphasise enough how useful, insightful and humbling the session with the Voices project was. “The lived experience of the group reminds us how important it is that we continue to drive change, make improvements and constantly put victims at the centre of all our actions. “I can sincerely say that by sharing their experience, they have helped to ensure future victims do not go through the same challenges and additional trauma.” Fran characterizes the project as “monumental,” remarking: “For a long time after the abuse, I was really angry. “I was just left with this displaced anger that I didn’t know what to do with because I just couldn’t believe this situation had been allowed to carry on, when it was quite obvious what was happening.” She concludes, “To say that police have absolutely listened, they have let me share my voice, for me to be heard is absolutely huge for me.” Drawing strength from her own ordeal, Fran is now committed to enhancing the lives of others. “I still meet victims who are in this cycle of abuse and they do not know where to turn,” she observes. “I felt so desperate, I felt like I was drowning but I think knowing there are people out there fighting for change can only be a good thing. I don’t want anything I’ve been through to ever be in vain.” She adds, “It breaks my heart to think of anybody going through what I did, but I just want to be able to say with utter confidence that there is help out there. Nobody needs to sit and suffer.” Highlights from West Yorkshire are available on BBC Sounds, the latest episode of Look North can be viewed, or stories for coverage can be submitted here. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.