25 years ago Justice for Women campaigned with others to free Sara Thornton, Kiranjit Ahluwalia and Amelia Rossiter, three women had been convicted of murder whilst resisting male violence. All three successfully appealed their murder convictions and their cases resulted in changes to the law on provocation and a greater awareness of domestic violence. Since then, Justice for Women have supported many more significant cases at the Court of Appeal including that of Emma Humphreys and most recently Stacey Hyde.

Despite earlier cases contributing to changes in the law, including recognition of the cumulative provocation of domestic violence, and despite a reform of the law in 2009, with the defence of ‘loss of control’ replacing that of ‘provocation’, women who have fought back out of fear and desperation, are still being unjustly convicted of the murder of their abusers. 

Join us as this discussion which will launch our new campaign to free Sally Challen, Farieissia Martin and Emma-Jayne Magson. Speakers will include:

Family members and lawyers for the three new cases 

Jess Phillips - Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley

Harriet Wistrich - Justice for Women co-founder and lawyer 

Stacey Hyde - who was convicted of the murder, aged 17, and with the help of Justice for Women acquitted at retrial. 

Dr Hannana Siddiqui – former Southall Black Sisters campaigner and award winning freelance policy & research consultant

Chaired by Helena Kennedy QC

With an introduction by Mark Stephens CBE, solicitor at Howard Kennedy.

We will also be screening extracts from two new short films about campaigning for justice and Stacey Hyde's campaign

Speeches and screening 6pm-8pm, followed by drinks and snacks (kindly provided by Howard Kennedy LLP). 

This event is free, but space is limited so please register if you would like to attend.