Latest News
13th February February 2023
INTERVIEW with Times Radio about obsession with true crime
David speaks to Times Radio about his latest Substack about our obsession with true crime amidst the disappearance of Nicola Bulley and the arrival of internet sleuths/influencers to the village she went missing.
12th February February 2023
INTERVIEW with LBC about fatal domestic abuse reporting
Amidst the victim blaming reporting on the Mail Online of Emma Pattison who was murdered alongside her daughter, Letti, by George Pattison, David speaks to Ben Kentish on LBC why language in media reporting matters and why need for the press regulator, Ipso, to adopt fatal domestic abuse reporting guidelines is as urgent as ever.
11th February February 2023
True crime: when voyeurism becomes harmful and exploitative
As internet sleuths and social media influencers descend onto the Lancashire village where Nicola Bulley went missing, causing family distress and police disruption, I investigate if the obsession with true crime finally gone too far?
23rd January2023
Are police accounts using #NotAllPolice to silence women speaking out?
All eyes are on the Met as they fight to keep Britain's largest police force from the chopping block, but are online police accounts derailing the work ahead?
Substack launch
Saturday, 10th December 2022
I'm happy to announce I am now on Substack. My work has lead me to publish my writings on multiple news outlets from The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Times and The Telegraph and many more, but on Substack I want the freedom to explore stories in more depth and do some things different. Some articles will be short reflections, others deep dives, all intended to give a perspective to you that is not widely covered. Who knows, maybe an audio interview with people I greatly admire could be in the future. Everything and anything is possible, so subscribe and find out.
Flying the burning nest
15th January 2023
As Prince Harry's memoir details life in the gilded cage, can the family image of monarchy past show itself to be anything but the abusive image it’s always been? I investigate in my new long-read how Harry's allegations of manipulation and control are deeply concerning or the future of the Royal Family.
Monday, 1st March 2020
Post-separation abuse will become a criminal offence to protect victims
Today the government has announced the controlling or coercive behaviour offence will be extended to include abuse where perpetrators and victims no longer live together. This is a vital step forward recognising the full breadth of domestic abuse and that abuse does not stop when a victim leaves an abusive partner. This law will give more victims a voice and the vital protection they have long needed.
Statement: Read More
Saturday, 13th March 2020
#NotAllMen fails to understand the role we play in holding abusive men to account
Amid the horrific and saddening news of the murder of Sarah Everard I write today in the Telegraph asking why are so few men engaging on the issue of violence against women?
Tea with Changemakers Podcast: discussing how to engage more men on tackling male violence against women.
Tuesday, 19th July 2022
Having chosen not to do interviews about my experiences of domestic abuse for more than a year for personal reasons, I'm glad to be back engaging again and most importantly discussing how to engage more men on tackling male violence against women. Many thanks to Social Change UK.
Lenient sentences for domestic abuse killings send a dangerous message
Tuesday, 23rd February 2020
When I read last week that pensioner Anthony Williams was sentenced to just five years in prison for the manslaughter of his wife Ruth I was left in disbelief. How could it be deemed acceptable that a man intent on harming his wife will be allowed to walk free after what will realistically amount to a couple of years?
Today I've written in the Metro to share my thoughts on the dangerous message this sentencing sends victims of domestic abuse.
Fatal Domestic Abuse Reporting
Wednesday, 8th, December 2020
Two in three families bereaved by fatal domestic abuse have had their grieving process damaged by the press. These are the findings of a landmark report published today surveying 15 families bereaved by fatal domestic abuse.
This report, a collaboration between myself, Level Up, the feminist campaign group and AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse), a domestic homicide review charity, is pushing to help create better reporting standards.