Chloe Holland death: Coercive control law petition reaches milestone

Chloe Holland took her own life after a "horrific campaign of coercive and controlling behaviour", according to police

More than 10,000 people have signed a parliamentary petition to create a new offence of manslaughter by coercive control, where abusive behaviour causes someone to take their own life.

The campaign was started by Sharon Holland, whose 23-year-old daughter Chloe, from Portsmouth, died in March.

Her former partner was jailed in October 2022 for 41 months for coercive and controlling behaviour towards her.

The Ministry of Justice has been asked for a response.

Sharon Holland said she was closer to achieving justice for victims

Ms Holland said she was "thrilled" to have reached the signature threshold, which means the government must issue a response.

She said: "This momentous support further emphasises the critical need for legislative change to address the devastating impact of coercive control.

"Our collective efforts bring us closer to achieving justice for victims and holding perpetrators accountable."

The petition is supported by domestic abuse charity Aurora New Dawn, which said Chloe Holland's death was "not a unique story".

Chief executive Dr Shonagh Dillon previously said: "Perpetrators who are that controlling don't just stop after a woman has died or they've left the relationship."

In September, the Sentencing Council proposed new guidelines which would incorporate "coercive or controlling behaviour" as an aggravating factor in manslaughter cases.

However, the council said the courts were already taking such behaviour into account.

It said the creation of a new law for cases involving suicides was a matter for parliament.

If you have been affected by issues raised in this report, details of organisations offering information and support about suicide and emotional distress are available via BBC Action Line.