UK government plans law defining abuse in teenage relationships after Holly Newton campaign - Politics and regulation

Holly Newton’s family says ministers have outlined plans for a new legal definition of abuse in teenage relationships, following their campaign to improve protections for young people.

The family of Holly Newton, who was stabbed to death aged 15 by her former boyfriend, says the UK government plans to introduce a new law defining abuse in teenage relationships. Holly’s parents, Micala and Lee Trussler, were given an outline of the plans at a meeting with Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Minister Satvir Kaur at the Home Office on Monday.

Holly was killed in an alleyway in Hexham in January 2023. Her former boyfriend, Logan MacPhail, was 16 and had controlled and stalked her before the attack. He was detained for at least 17 years in 2024 for the killing.

Police recorded Holly’s death as knife crime because the law does not recognise people under 16 as victims of domestic abuse. Her family has campaigned for a change, arguing that young people in abusive relationships need access to support to leave safely.

Lee Trussler said that without the appropriate classification, teenagers could not receive the help and guidance they need. He and Micala said a separate definition for abuse in teenage relationships could be more effective than simply lowering the age at which someone is recognised as a domestic abuse victim.

Micala said the approach could offer teenagers stronger protection while recognising that their relationships may differ from those of adults. She said the family was proud of its campaign but that its progress was also emotional because Holly had been lost.

The plans follow a House of Lords committee review of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which began in January. The review examined the law’s definition of domestic abuse and how it recognises children as victims. The government has not announced a timetable for its proposals or said when the full review will be published.

Minister Satvir Kaur praised Micala Trussler’s campaigning and said the government was acting to address violence against women and girls. Hexham MP Joe Morris, who accompanied the family to the meeting, described the plans as a significant step towards putting what he called “Holly’s law” on the statute book.

Sources: BBC News UK.