David Challen
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.
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.
“When my mum struck, it was with the cumulative rage of thirty years of hurt.”
David Challen grew up in the perfect home with the model family.
He also grew up inside a house which concealed his father’s manipulation and control.
One Saturday in 2010, David’s mother struck more than twenty blows to the back of her husband’s head with a hammer after thirty years of abuse. In those few minutes, David’s life was changed forever.
Over the next decade, he led the fight to overturn her conviction; and in doing so he not only freed his mother and helped change the legal system, but also became a voice for the countless victims of coercive control across the country.
This is a powerful story of a son’s love for his mother; of an insidious form of abuse that must be better understood if we are to truly tackle it; and a fight that reshaped.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄
Published by Brazen Books
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.
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.
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.
📚 The Unthinkable becomes a Bestseller!
14th June 2025
Within a week of publication, The Unthinkable became an Amazon bestseller, and I’m completely blown away by the response.
What’s moved me most are the messages from readers. Survivors reaching out. People telling me they finally found words for the homes they grew up in. That the silence they lived through feels finally described, which is enormous.
This book was written to challenge that silence, and seemingly already, it’s doing just that.
I’ve been grateful for the chance to bring these conversations to wider platforms, including Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, The Sunday Times, Lorraine, Channel 4 News, and a serialisation in The Mail. Many more media dates are to come but I wanted to update that I am truly grateful for the reaction to this book.
Every appearance has been an opportunity to push this conversation forward, to show that an atmosphere of control in the home is a violence too, especially for children. That it impacts us, means something, and needs to be seen and heard.
Thank you for helping this story find its place in the world.
Order The Unthinkable HERE
🌟 Endorsement from Melanie Brown MBE (Mel B)
29th May 2025
It’s an enormous honour to share the first quote for The Unthinkable, from none other than Melanie Brown MBE, aka Mel B.
"David is one of the most courageous men I know, and I met him when he was campaigned for his mum while she was still in prison.
His book is one that everyone should read to understand coercive control, and what it is like to be a child growing up in a house where there is domestic abuse."
Mel and I met during my campaign to free my mother, when she recognised me at a Women’s Aid fundraiser, called out my name, and sat me down to ask what she could do to help. Her empathy and courage blew me away.
As a fellow survivor, Mel’s enduring support and bravery in telling her own story continues to inspire me.
Pre-Order The Unthinkable HERE
📚 The Unthinkable at Hay Festival
26th May 2025
I had the privilege of speaking at the renowned Hay Festival alongside solicitor and human rights advocate Harriet Wistrich. In a session titled Unthinkable: Coercive Control, moderated by broadcaster Samira Ahmed, we delved into the pervasive issues of misogyny, male violence, and the pursuit of justice.
Harriet, founder of the Centre for Women’s Justice, played a pivotal role in overturning my mother Sally Challen’s murder conviction, highlighting the insidious nature of coercive control. Our discussion underscored the urgent need for systemic change and the importance of holding institutions accountable in addressing violence against women and girls.
The session resonated deeply with the themes explored in my forthcoming book, The Unthinkable, which examines the complexities of coercive control and the fight for justice.
📚 BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT: The Unthinkable
9th April 2025
I’m proud to announce my debut book, The Unthinkable, published by Brazen Books. This deeply personal memoir explores the hidden realities of coercive control and the long fight to free my mother, Sally Challen, in a landmark legal case that helped reshape how the UK understands domestic abuse.
The Unthinkable is a story of survival, justice, and the power of speaking out. It sheds light on the insidious nature of coercive control and its devastating impact on families.
The book is available for pre-order HERE.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Clients
Contact Me!
Please note: I am truly grateful for every message I receive, but I’m unable to respond to individual requests for personal advice. I’m not a trained professional and can’t offer direct support. If you need help, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
