The family of Hexham schoolgirl Holly Newton have welcomed plans for a standalone legal definition of teenage relationship abuse, after ministers told them stronger protections for children in abusive relationships are being considered.
Holly was 15 when she was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife by her ex-boyfriend, Logan MacPhail, in January 2023. Her parents, Micala and Lee Trussler, have since campaigned for a change in the law, arguing that younger people should be recognised as victims of domestic abuse.
The current legal threshold under the Domestic Abuse Act is 16. The Government had pledged to complete a review of the age limit this year following Holly’s murder in Hexham.
Family welcomes proposed standalone definition
Micala and Lee Trussler met safeguarding minister Satvir Kaur in Westminster on Monday. The family were told that the Home Office plans to introduce a separate definition of teenage relationship abuse rather than simply lowering the existing age threshold.
Micala said the proposed approach would mean children could “get better protection under the standalone definition rather than lowering the age and becoming mixed in with adults”.
She said the family had campaigned for a long time and had not wanted to return home with only assurances that progress was being made.
“We have campaigned for so long and I didn’t want to come back home this time saying that we were making positive steps. I wanted more than that and we definitely got it.”
Micala described the development as “very bittersweet”, saying that nothing could bring Holly back. She added that the family were pleased their work could help other families and prevent young people from experiencing similar abuse.
“Regardless of what we are doing, we cannot have Holly back. But we are so happy that we are helping other families so they don’t go through what we have been through, and helping other young people not to go through what Holly did.”
What the Government says will change
In a letter to Micala, Ms Kaur said the Government was taking what she called “unprecedented action” to protect young victims. The measures set out include strengthening the school curriculum on unhealthy relationships, investing £16 million in prevention programmes in schools and strengthening the Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance.
The minister said Holly had been a victim of abuse and that this should have been recognised and acted on by the services responsible for keeping children safe.
“Nothing can bring Holly back. But it is thanks to your tireless campaigning in her memory – campaigning that has shone a light on the systemic failings to help children suffering this abuse – that we are committed to taking unprecedented action to tackle it.”
Ms Kaur said the Government’s review found that teenage relationship abuse is too often overlooked, minimised or misunderstood. Warning signs can be missed and opportunities to intervene lost, she said.
She also said that frameworks to identify, protect and support children already exist, but are not always applied effectively in practice. The review concluded that young people’s lives can be devastated by abusive relationships in the same way as adults’ lives.
Holly Newton’s murder and the next steps
MacPhail, from Birtley, was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years for the alleyway attack. Holly suffered 36 knife wounds.
The court heard that MacPhail had travelled to Hexham armed with a knife and followed Holly around the town for 45 minutes. He repeatedly contacted people close to her through voice messages in an attempt to persuade her to meet him.
The Government is now exploring whether a standalone definition of teenage relationship abuse would provide the best legal and safeguarding response. Ms Kaur said the aim was to create a shared understanding across services, including the police, social workers and teachers, so they can recognise the harm, keep children safe and respond appropriately.
She said a child-protection approach would focus on the specific needs and development of young people, while providing more opportunities for early intervention and stronger protections tailored to children.