David Challen
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Domestic Abuse Campaigner
David Challen is a domestic abuse campaigner, writer and keynote speaker. He successfully campaigned to free his mother Sally Challen in a landmark appeal recognising the lifetime of coercive control she suffered in 2019.
David continues to speak out against men's violence against women, coercive control and the impact of domestic abuse on children, as well as men's role in tackling misogyny.
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David is an advisor to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales and an Ambassador for the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) and the Employers' Initiative on Domestic Abuse.
My Story
On a Saturday morning in August 2010 my mother, Sally Challen, 56, killed my father, Richard Challen, 61, at the family home. The next day my mother drove me to work whilst my father’s body lay undiscovered on the family kitchen floor, I stepped out of the car and she made a point to tell me she loved me. Afterwards she drove to Beachy Head to end her life but was talked down, arrested and convicted of murder.
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In 2015 coercive control was made an offence, in turn it not only helped provide a deeper understanding of domestic abuse in acknowledging psychological and emotional violence it helped provide a language for the abuse my brother and I witnessed from our father. We believed the abuse our mother suffered over 40 years resulted in a loss of control, supported by new evidence of multiple mental disorders. Coercive control gave my brother and I a voice to speak out about the abuse we witnessed.
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We campaigned for over two years to bring to light a true understanding of the events that led to our father’s death and in February 2019 we successfully quashed our mother's murder conviction. In June later that year our mother was released from prison on the grounds of diminished responsibility and returned to the family.
My mother's case created national and international awareness of coercive control, giving voice to countless silent victims of abuse.
TALK: 25th Anniversary of Victim Support Isle of Man
12th September 2024
David speaks at the two-day event celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Victim Support Isle of Man 2024. David shares two talks with a diverse audience, including the safeguarding sector, police and ministers.
David's talk engages on coercive control awareness and the barriers victims of crime face when seeking closure, notably through court transcripts as therapeutic means. Citing his own experience as well as those of other victim's, David stresses the needs to overhaul our approach to tackling domestic abuse and the need to provide a holistic response to victims who traverse through the criminal justice system.
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INTERVIEW: Coercive Control Awareness & The Lack of Training Social Workers
28th August 2024
David speaks to Shelagh Fogarty on LBC following the reports that more than a third of social workers are not trained on coercive control.
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David shares that coercive and controlling behaviour is the very bedrock of domestic abuse and a leading indicator towards an escalation of violence. From stalking, to economic abuse, post-separation abuse, sexual violence, to murder and domestic abuse-related suicide, coercive control is the insidious thread that binds these abusive acts together.
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INTERVIEW: Engaging Men In Tackling Men's Violence Against Women & Girls
11th July 2024
In the wake of the murders of Carol Hunt, Hannah Hunt and Louise Hunt, David speaks to Ben Kentish on LBC about the need to stop talking about the weapons men use to murder women, and start talking to each other as men about male violence against women and girls.
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Published Work
> > NOW WRITING ON SUBSTACK:
Writings on Coercive Control and Male Violence Against Women
Media
The Case of Sally Challen
Aired on BBC TWO.
Previously available on BBC iPlayer.
(Viewer link on request via Contact Me section)
A landmark film.
A landmark case in domestic abuse.
"THE CASE OF SALLY CHALLEN ON BBC2 SHOWS JUSTICE IS NOT GENDER-BLIND"
"INSIDE THE TRIAL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR WOMEN"
★★★★★
- THE GUARDIAN
"This documentary takes us to the heart of one of the most talked-about British legal cases of recent years."
- FINANCIAL TIMES
- THE TELEGRAPH
CAMPAIGNS
Many other women who are victims of abuse and violence are in prison today serving life sentences, and I know this because I have met them.
They have suffered abuse and other miscarriages of justice and should be serving sentences for manslaughter and not murder - Sally Challen
No one should become homeless after fleeing domestic abuse in any society, but it is happening in ours right now.
Anyone fleeing domestic abuse must have a guaranteed safe, permanent home”
"2 in 3 families bereaved by fatal domestic abuse have had their grieving process damaged by the press.
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In collaboration with Level Up and AAFDA we are calling for better reporting standards so victims feel safe to share their stories without fear of further trauma
Two women a week die at the hands of a partner or ex-partner. Yet less than 1% of perpetrators currently receive an intervention to challenge their behaviour.
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We must publish a Perpetrator Strategy.
It’s vital to specifically recognise the bespoke nature of post-separation abuse by ensuring the Domestic Abuse Bill provides a complete acknowledgement of survivors experiences and protection in the future.
Speaking
Having spent the majority of my life experiencing coercive control and domestic abuse in the home, I value the need for society to be aware of all forms of violence that exist in all parts of our society.
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I continue to actively speak out against violence against women as well as the need to promote discussion about healthy/unhealthy relationships and what men can do to help challenge misogyny in today's society.
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I share my story, learning and awareness of these issues across all sectors and across a variety of clients. I share my voice in my role as an Ambassador for both the Prison Advice and Care Trust and Employers' Initiative on Domestic Abuse to help others.
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If you'd like to book me to speak at your event please get in touch via the Contact Me section at the bottom of this page!
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Clients
