THE sister of a woman brutally murdered by her partner has spoken out as she prepares to face another Christmas without her.
It is more than 500 days since Lauren Howe lost her life from serious injuries inflicted during an assault in her home.
In July 2022, the 26 year old was found 100 yards from her home on Aire Way, Baildon.
She was taken to hospital but sadly died a short while later.
Lily Anne Howe, the youngest of Lauren’s six siblings, wants to encourage more victims to seek help as part of her sister’s lasting legacy.
Speaking about her passion for raising awareness of domestic violence, Lily Anne said: “I don’t want them to go down the path we’ve gone down. It’s been a year since we lost Lauren, it’s not going to be easy because of the way she’s been taken.
“It’s been hard. You just have to get on with it, that’s what life does to you. You’ve got to get yourself back up. As a sibling you’re going to have that feeling for the rest of your life, no matter what.”
Losing Lauren is something the Howe family will never get over.
Reflecting on the family’s second Christmas without her much loved sister, Lily Anne said: “She was amazing. She used to come up to my mum’s house on Christmas morning, open presents with us and the kids, and sometimes she’ll start to have a little dance, have a little drink, trying to make her kids happy.
“Me and her were really close. We had a lot of memories. Most of the memories was family parties. All our memories are together. We never did anything separate.
“She was a really good mum. She used to bring them [the children] up to my mum’s. She used to take them to all the fun fairs we went to. We did a lot of things.”
Christmas continues to be a difficult season for those affected by domestic violence or emotional abuse.
The time of celebrations - such as football tournaments - sees a spike in reports of domestic violence across the UK.
DV-ACT, a domestic abuse charity which aims to keep children safe, said it is not the events themselves that cause abuse, but the excuses they provide for perpetrators looking to exert more power.
Lily Anne is now sending a poignant message to anyone affected by domestic violence, in memory of her sister.
“She had two kids.” Lily Anne, who lives in Keighley, said.
“It’s not fair the children are losing their parents.”
She added: “I don’t want their family to go through what my family went through. It’s not easy. It’s not a nice feeling.
“People should share what they’re going through. They should speak about it more.
“We did try our best. There needs to be more help.
“Kids don’t deserve to lose their families. They don’t deserve to lose a sibling.”
Lauren’s killer, Charlie Booth, 27, of Tennis Way, is currently serving a life sentence in prison.
He must serve a minimum term of 15 and a half years before he is eligible for parole.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority is currently running a strategy to make the region safer for women and girls.
The work is being carried out alongside Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, police, partner agencies, voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and victims and survivors.
Alison Lowe OBE, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: “As a survivor of sexual and domestic abuse I feel a strong personal responsibility towards making West Yorkshire safer for women and girls.
“We will continue to lobby government for change, ensuring the Mayor’s and my voice are heard at a national level.
“This strategy builds on years of work but there is still a lot to do to increase the safety of women and girls. I can’t wait to see the incredible things we will achieve together. Our time is now.”
Get support for domestic abuse
National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247
The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327
Action on Elder Abuse helpline: 0808 808 8141
Childline - 0800 1111 you can also go to https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/
NSPCC (Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm or 9am – 6pm at the weekends) - 0808 800 5000 or Contact counsellors 24 hours a day by email or online reporting form help@nspcc.org.uk
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