Holly Newton's mum unveils powerful domestic abuse ribbon display in Hexham
It has been two years since Holly was murdered by her ex-boyfriend
Last updated 27th Jan 2025
In a powerful and poignant display, more than 200 purple ribbons have been unveiled in a Northumberland town, to illustrate the shocking number of lives lost each year to domestic abuse.
The display – found on railings, close to the Fusilier's Gates on Beaumont Street in Hexham – represents the number of people who have died by domestic abuse in a single year.
Among the hundreds of purple ribbons, a single white ribbon can be found – symbolising Holly Newton – the 15-year-old, from Haltwhistle, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2023.
Her mother, Micala Trussler – who has collaborated with Hits Radio North East to create the display - wants to highlight the sheer volume of domestic abuse homicides in the country and how Holly’s death will not be recognised as one.
Holly’s mother, Micala Trussler, said: "We put lots of purple ribbons up to represent women that have been killed by partners in the UK, but we've put a white one up for Holly to represent she’s not part of them numbers.
"It’s quite shocking how many women are killed by former partners, but it's also just so sad that it's been 2 years now and nothing has changed for Holly.
"We have fought for two years now, so we'll keep fighting until we do get that law changed."
Today (Monday, 27 January), marks two years since Holly was killed.
Since then, the family have been campaigning for the age a person can be legally recognised as a domestic abuse victim to be lowered.
Currently under UK law, both the abuser and the victim must be over 16, for it to be considered a domestic abuse crime.
Micala is also calling for schools to be better at educating young people about what constitutes domestic abuse so they know “what is normal and what is not normal”.
Micala added: "The last two years have been horrific to be honest. Every day seems like a fight and we're still fighting now. We're doing it all in memory of Holly, so that's what keeps pushing us.
"It's quite shocking to see how many women are killed by former partners, but we really want people to recognise that this also happens to young people.
"It’s important for children to receive that education and until the age is lowered, they're not going to get that in schools, which is why we're delivering that at the minute.
"Children do deserve to be recognised as being victims themselves."
Micala’s campaign has received support from labour MP for Hexham Joe Morris – who has raised the campaign in Parliament. He’s called upon the Government to 'look urgently' into the legislation on domestic abuse specifications.
In addition, the family are due to meet with the Minister for Safeguarding, MP Jess Philips to discuss the matter further.
The family also launched Holly’s Hope in April 2024 in Holly’s memory. The charity aims to raise awareness of the warning signs young people should look out for when experiencing their first relationships.
For more information on Holly’s Hope, please visit the website.
Pictures of the ribbons in Hexham
In a powerful and poignant display, more than 200 purple ribbons have been unveiled in a Northumberland town, to illustrate the shocking number of lives lost each year to domestic abuse.
The display – found on railings, close to the Fusilier's Gates on Beaumont Street in Hexham – represents the number of people who have died by domestic abuse in a single year.
Among the hundreds of purple ribbons, a single white ribbon can be found – symbolising Holly Newton – the 15-year-old, from Haltwhistle, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2023.
Her mother, Micala Trussler – who has collaborated with Hits Radio North East to create the display - wants to highlight the sheer volume of domestic abuse homicides in the country and how Holly's death will not be recognised as one.