Summary
David Challen successfully campaigned for the release of his mother, Sally Challen, who was imprisoned for killing his father. Sally's release was possible due to new laws recognizing "coercive control" as a form of domestic abuse, which was a key issue in their case.
Key Facts
- Sally Challen was jailed for life in 2011 for killing her husband, Richard.
- She was freed in 2019 after her murder conviction was overturned.
- The law recognizing coercive control as domestic abuse was passed in England and Wales in 2015.
- Coercive control involves patterns of psychological manipulation or abuse.
- David Challen now campaigns against domestic abuse and has written a book about his family's experiences.
- The family lived in a seemingly normal suburban home in Claygate, Surrey, where abuse was hidden.
- David said the term "coercive control" helped him and his mother understand their situation.
