Mothers Campaign for Law Change After Daughters’ Murders

Carole Gould and Julie Devey, united by the murders of their teenage daughters in the United Kingdom, successfully campaigned for increased sentencing for domestic homicides. Both Ellie Gould and Poppy Devey Waterhouse were killed by former partners.

The women discovered a disparity in sentencing guidelines, murders committed with a purchased weapon carried a longer minimum sentence than those committed with a kitchen knife in a domestic setting. For seven years, Gould and Devey met with politicians and judges, advocating for a change to the law.

Last month, Justice Secretary David Lammy announced plans to raise the minimum sentence for murdering a current or former partner to 25 years, aligning it with premeditated killings. While the change is still subject to consultation, the Ministry of Justice intends to implement it quickly.

Though the new law won't erase their loss, the mothers believe it will offer greater justice for victims of domestic violence and potentially deter future crimes. They acknowledge their grief will remain, but are proud to have honored their daughters' memories through lasting change.