ESDAS Stand in solidarity with Dawn and her family
In murdering Dawn, he took away a kind-hearted person whose life and generosity of spirit was never ending. Despite the fact his lies and deception were for so long believed by so many we knew the truth in our hearts and souls. We grieved for Dawn in the shadows with the support of only a few who saw through his deceit. She was everything to us and he is nothing, she will be celebrated and he will be forgotten.
Paying tribute to Dawn her mother Liz said
“Dawn was a loving daughter, sister and mother. Being a mother was what brought joy to Dawn, she always wanted to be a mother and was delighted when she had her children.
Dawn was caring, capable and strong. She would do anything for anyone and was loved by both friends and family.
Dawn was an organiser and very much a people person. She would organise local charity events to include the community and her colleagues where she worked at Raven housing. She would always be involved in the organisation of work social events, especially around Christmas time. Dawn was loved by all her peers.
During her life, Dawn was looking for someone to build a life with. She was looking for someone to love and be loved by someone to trust and be trusted by and someone to respect and be respected by.”
I would like to say in memory of my daughter Dawn, that women and girls all over the world are living in fear. It’s got to stop.
For me, this case has highlighted how my daughter Dawn was a victim of domestic abuse and was controlled, coerced and bullied throughout her relationship with Robert Rhodes.
Nobody has the right to control, bully, disrespect or be violent towards another person because they feel that they’re entitled to with the thought, if I can’t have them nobody can.
No one ‘belongs’ to anyone else. Nobody ‘owns’ another person and indeed children are not possessions.
Women and children all over this land have left their partners and are hiding and living in fear of reprisals.
There are a number of organisations throughout the UK that have been set up to take care of women and girls in these situations. They are charities; The government needs to step up and fund the help and put some laws into place to protect women and children.
Kirsty Dawn’s sister said
“There cannot be justice for Dawn because she is dead.
Like all women killed by men, their lives were more than what happened to them.
Dawn had a right to life, they all did.
The only acknowledgment I make is that for the first time in years Dawn’s voice has finally been heard.
Dawns children and I have huge capacity for love. The events of her death have made it difficult to navigate a family life, but we have found a path. We will continue to love and be loved for the future evermore. I know my sister would want us to find freedom, a freedom that she was deprived of. It is because of her and the love she had for her children, family and friends that we will continue.
Dawn was my sister and I loved her dearly”
Our thanks go firstly to Ann MING who in 2005, after a 15-year campaign, led to a change in the law that allows re-prosecution for serious crimes if new evidence is found with the double jeopardy law. Without which, this case would not have come to fruition.
Speak to someone trained to provide you with emotional and practical support:
If you need to talk to someone Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm you can call your local support service direct using the numbers below, or you can call the Surrey Domestic Abuse Helpline provided by Your Sanctuary Tel: 01483 776822
For 24/7 support you can phone the National Domestic Abuse helpline provided by Refuge Tel: 0808 2000 247.
- East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services covers Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead & Tandridge Tel: 01737 771350
- Your Sanctuary covers Woking, Runnymede and Surrey Heath Tel: 01483 776822
- North Surrey Domestic Abuse Services covers Epsom and Ewell, Elmbridge and Spelthorne Tel: 01932 260690
- South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Services covers Guildford and Waverley Tel: 01483 898884
Online Chat
Your Sanctuary’s confidential online chat enables you to get advice, signposting and information just as you would over the phone. The chat has been designed to run alongside the helpline service to provide a second avenue for those reaching out for support. Online Chat is open to speak to an advisor Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm
https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/domestic-abuse
Surrey Steps to Change Hub
The Surrey Steps to Change Hub is a safe space where individuals can benefit from localised, specialist support to increase survivor safety and reduce harm from perpetrators of domestic abuse and stalking.
For advice and support please contact us via email: Enquiries@surreystepstochange.co.uk or telephone: 01483 900 905