Women’s Aid response to the sentencing of Danyal Hussein 

“We welcome the 35-year minimum sentence handed down to Danyal Hussein for the brutal double murder of Biba Henry and Nicole Smallman in June 2020. This sentence, with no chance of parole, sends a clear message to perpetrators of violent crimes against women that they can, and will, feel the full weight of the law.

“Too many violent and abusive men escape justice because lenient sentencing does not reflect the severity of their crimes. Violence against women has long been the poor relation when it comes to apprehending and sentencing offenders so this sentence is a sign to all women that violent criminals will not go unpunished. 

“However, we still need to address the underlying culture of sexism and misogyny that exists right across society that allows this type of crime to occur in the first place. Tackling violence against women needs to be prioritised and fundamental cross-system change is required in order that we can eradicate the sexist and misogynistic behaviours that result in women living in fear of walking the streets and end in the murders of dozens of women every year. 

“Women should be safe wherever they are, whether at home or in public places, and this requires a whole system approach by the UK Government to address the continuum of male violence against women and the recent autumn budget was a missed opportunity to invest in both prevention and culture change. 

“We need urgent action and change to properly address violence against women and girls. We cannot accept more and more women dying at the hands of violent men.”