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
Forthcoming from 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.
TALK: Aylesbury Women’s Aid International Women's Day
7th March 2025
I was honoured to speak at Waddesdon Manor with Aylesbury Women’s Aid, supported by the Rothschild Foundation. Powerful paintings, poetry, and survivor accounts filled the space, highlighting resilience and the urgent need for change. I spoke on coercive control, the impact on children, and systemic failings that continue to harm survivors.
TALK: Antrim and Newtownabbey Council for International Women’s Day
6th March 2025
I was honoured to speak at Antrim and Newtownabbey Council’s event for International Women’s Day, addressing the urgent need to recognise and tackle coercive control.
I shared my mother’s story, my own experiences as a survivor, and how coercive control laws are shaping justice for victims. I also spoke about the hidden impact of abuse on children, the systemic failures that continue to let survivors down, and why education is key to prevention.
We must continue these conversations—not just on International Women’s Day, but every day. Change starts with awareness, and awareness leads to action.
Learn more here.
SUBSTACK: Misogyny and Extremism: A Connection We Cannot Ignore
25th January 2025
As the Southport murderer begins his 52-year sentence, we must confront how misogyny fuels extremism. Three young girls—Bebe, Elsie, and Alice—lost their lives. Yet, we continue to miss the warning signs of escalating violence, dismiss misogyny as a serious threat, and allow harmful content to thrive online.
In my latest Substack, I explore the systemic failings behind this case and the urgent need for accountability.
📖 Read more here.
MEDIA: The System Failed Kiena Dawes – And It Fails Countless Others Like Her
14th January 2025
Kiena Dawes endured two years of coercive control and horrific abuse from Ryan Wellings. He threatened her with acid, pulled her hair, and even said he’d use a drill to take out her teeth. Despite a brutal final attack that left her hospitalised, Wellings broke bail conditions—yet he was never detained. Days later, Kiena took her own life, leaving a note blaming him.
Yesterday, he was cleared of manslaughter, with blame placed on Kiena’s mental health instead of the abuse she endured. This is why domestic abuse-related suicides remain hidden, uncounted, and ignored.
📻 Listen back here.
SUBSTACK: Stuart Hogg And The Cost of Leniency Towards Coercive Control
12th January 2025
Stuart Hogg walks free after a five-year campaign of coercive control against his wife, receiving just a one-year community payback order. This lenient sentence raises urgent questions about how the justice system treats domestic abuse.
What message does this send to survivors? How can we trust a system that allows high-profile individuals to evade real accountability? And why do clubs like Montpellier continue to sign players with histories of domestic abuse?
In my latest Substack, I explore these questions and why outcomes like this continue to fail victims.
📖 Read more 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: Due to the volume of emails I receive, I am unable to respond to individual requests for personal advice. I am not a trained professional and cannot offer direct support. For assistance, please contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.