WHY are women still being killed in domestic violence cases?

On average, two women are murdered as a result of domestic violence every week in the UK, a figure that has not changed for 15 years.

Essex Police have been criticised on several occasions by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over their handling of domestic violence cases.

The inquiries have led to changes within the force, but has enough been done to make women safer in the county? The family of Maria Stubbings, 50, strangled by former partner Marc Chivers in 2008, don’t think so.

Maria’s family, along with Refuge, have called on the home secretary, Theresa May, to launch a public inquiry to examine why victims of domestic violence are still not getting sufficient protection from the police and other Government agencies.

Chivers had been freed from a German prison less than a year earlier, after serving 15 years for murdering his then girlfriend Sabine Rappold. Maria had made repeated contact with the police about her ex-boyfriend, in April 2008, about a possible burglary and again in July that year when he assaulted her.

Manuel Fernandez, 42, Maria’s brother, says: “We have worked to honour Maria’s name and help other women like her. The way domestic violence is dealt with, especially in Britain, is still horrendous.

“There is a deeply misogynistic way women are treated and it still seems the police are a boys’ club who have not moved on. They wanted to sweep the matter under the carpet.”

Maria’s death has left a big hole within the family. Manuel, 42, says: “We were so close to her growing up. She was 11 years older than me and was ‘mum’ while mum worked.”

Manuel says Maria was let down by the police who should have protected her. He says: “She called out for help to the police, rather than burden her family. As a family, we have bonded over fighting for her and we are united over it.”

 To sign the petition, go to www.refuge.org.uk/maria

POLICE BLUNDERS: panic alarm was removed

 Maria had a panic alarm in her house, but it was removed and no risk assessment was made of Chivers, despite the fact he spent four months behind bars, because of her assault complaint.
 On December 11, 2008, he burgled her home, but a police call handler took down her address incorrectly, so the warning markers did not come up and the call was downgraded.
 Her 15-year-old son Benji was left in the house with Chivers after his mother was killed, unaware of the danger.
 On December 18, 2008, Chivers answered the door and police did not find Maria’s body and left, not realising her body was underneath some coats in the toilet. The following day her body was found.
The report found there was confusion over whether the December burglary should be classed as domestic abuse.