Mum Killed Dad with a Hammer, but I Fought for Years to Free Her

In a poignant and harrowing tale of domestic abuse and justice, David Challen recounts the tragic events that led to his mother, Sally Challen, killing his father, Richard, with a hammer in 2010. For years, Sally endured psychological manipulation and coercive control, a form of abuse that was not legally recognized at the time. David, then a teenager, struggled to comprehend the situation, feeling the weight of the family’s hidden turmoil.

In 2019, after nearly a decade in prison, Sally was released following a legal reform that acknowledged coercive control as a criminal offense. Her conviction was quashed, and she pleaded guilty to manslaughter. David’s relentless campaign for justice highlighted the need for legal recognition of psychological abuse, a fight that ultimately led to significant changes in the law. David has since become a prominent domestic abuse campaigner, authoring the book The Unthinkable, which delves into his family’s ordeal and the broader implications of coercive control. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the insidious nature of such abuse and the necessity for legal frameworks that protect victims. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of domestic abuse and the enduring strength of those who seek justice.