YEARS of campaigning to change the law after the brutal murder of his sister and nephew have paid off for dedicated Frank Mullane.

His life was turned upside down eight years ago when his sister Julia Pemberton and her 17-year-old son Will were murdered as a result of domestic abuse.

The pair were killed by Julia’s husband Alan who then turned the gun on himself.

It was revealed after the incident that Julia had made regular calls to Thames Valley Police about domestic violence and death threats but nothing was done.

Frank realised that there must be many families facing similar difficulties and so in 2008 the Swindon-based campaigner founded the charity Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse.

From tomorrow Domestic Violence Homicide Reviews will be law – meaning local police will have to undertake a review into the circumstances of anyone who dies as a result of domestic abuse.

It is a change in the law that Frank has campaigned hard for.

He said: “It is good news that domestic violence homicide reviews will become law this week.

“The purpose of these reviews will be to prevent these tragedies recurring and to improve service responses for all victims of domestic violence.

“Following the murders of my sister Julia and nephew William Pemberton in 2003, my family turned for help to friends, a solicitor, the late John Latham, MPs – including Swindon’s –academics and many organisations including Refuge, AVA, Southall Black Sisters and the media.

“They all helped to ensure this tragedy was reviewed comprehensively and fearlessly.

“The Pemberton homicide review, a pilot for this legislation, was published in November 2008 and described as a ‘gold standard’ by Professor Neil Websdale, the world authority on these reviews.”

Through AAFDA, Frank and his team have worked with the Home Office to develop the guidelines for the new review.

He said: “Half of those murdered in domestic violence did not contact statutory agencies, but they may have told family, friends, employers or community leaders of their despair.

“These people, as well as the professional and voluntary agencies, need to be invited to the review so they can share their knowledge and bring the victim’s voice to the table.

“These reviews will only yield change if the professionals embrace them and think creatively.

“They are not about attributing blame but honestly and fearlessly identifying and implementing actions which will save lives and allow many others to escape abuse.”

According to Home Office statistics, in 2009/10, 116 people were killed by current or former partners and 95 of these were women.

Despite the introduction of specialist domestic violence courts, independent domestic violence advocates and multi agency risk assessment conferences, two women are still killed every week in England and Wales.

For more information on AAFDA, log on to www.aafda.org.uk.