In the early hours of Friday 21st August 2015 a flashing blue light broke through the darkness forcing my eyes to open. What followed next was every parents’ nightmare. "Your daughter Jourdain has been involved in an incident", the police officer said, "and she is in a critical condition in hospital".
We raced to be by her side but the doctors were unable to save her. She had suffered catastrophic head injuries and was pronounced brain stem dead just a few hours later.
Jourdain had fallen from a balcony after an argument with her boyfriend. Her boyfriend was arrested at the scene and their followed a detailed police investigation which was referred to the CPS for a decision on charging him. Initially, the CPS said there was not enough evidence for a prosecution. We were devastated and appealed that decision. The CPS then indicated they wouldprosecute for manslaughter. But to our horror, they then reversed that decision yet again claiming the original decision was correct.
No family should have to go through what we have gone through. We believe the assesment of the CPS is wrong and that it should be for a jury to decide. Our only option now to get justice for Jourdain is to bring a judicial review to challenge of the decision of the CPS. We, Jourdain’s family, need your help to fund this challenge.
This isn't just about Jourdain
This is about all women killed by violent men.On March 8th 2016, International Women’s Day, Jess Phillips MP was applauded in parliament when she spoke to highlight the appalling number of women killed at the hands of violent men. She read out a list of 105 names which included women and girls aged 13 and over killed in the past year where a man has been convicted, charged or are considered by police to be the primary suspect.
Jourdain’s name was among them.
Our campaign for justice for Jourdain is important not only for our family but for all those who have lost friends or family to domestic homicides. All too often we are seeing such cases dropped by the CPS due to their complex nature. Too many women die each year from this terrible crime and all too often no-one is held to account. We are challenging the decision by the CPS not to prosecute and we need your support. Please contribute and share this page now.
This is why we are sending out this heartfelt plea to ask for your support.
We have been working very closely with the Metropolitan police and our lawyer Harriet Wistrich, the founder of the Centre for Women’s Justice. We strongly believe that there is enough circumstantial evidence to take this case to court and get justice for Jourdain. Despite the fact that our daughter lost her life, this is something we are being denied the opportunity to do by the CPS.
How much do we need to raise and why?
No family should ever have to go through what we are going through, therefore we are asking for your help.
Our initial target is set at £5,000, to enable our lawyers to prepare the challenge. However, once the case is lodged in court we become at risk of having to pay the CPS for their costs if we don’t get permission from the court to proceed or ultimately lose. We have therefore set a target of £50,000 to help pay for our lawyers and to protect us from incurring any risk of paying the CPS’ costs.
How can you help?
Please contribute what you can - everything makes a difference.
Most importantly please post about this campaign to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and tell your followers that you have already given.
Thank you for your support and for helping us make this campaign a success. We can't do it without you!