Domestic abuse survivor visits Force as part of training initiative
A domestic abuse and stalking survivor who was held hostage at gunpoint by her former partner in Wales visited Dorset to speak about her lived experience.
Rhianon Bragg delivered a hard-hitting input to officers and staff from the Force’s Firearms Licensing Team and Adult Safeguarding Hub as part of her personal mission to bring positive change and help other victims who may not be able to speak out.
During a five-year coercive relationship, Gareth Wyn Jones became increasingly verbally and physically abusive to Rhianon. When she ended the relationship in April 2019, Jones refused to accept it and he began a campaign of stalking and continued to demonstrate threatening and obsessive behaviour towards Rhianon and her children.
Rhianon reported the offences, but at the time the Crown Prosecution Service decided no further action should be taken. Jones’ campaign continued and Rhianon made the decision to install CCTV in her home. It was this CCTV that captured the moment when Rhianon returned to her rural farmhouse on 15 August 2019 and was ambushed by Jones. He held her hostage at gunpoint for eight hours, repeatedly threatening to kill her and leave her four children motherless.
Officers were called, Jones was arrested and in February 2020 he admitted stalking, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, false imprisonment and making a threat to kill. He was sentenced to four and a half years in custody.
Rhianon has been working with police forces across England and Wales to spread awareness of her experiences of domestic abuse and help drive forward improvements in firearms licensing units. This includes the need for licensing staff to interview in depth partners of prospective firearms licence applicants to identify elements of domestic abuse early in the process in accordance with statutory guidance.
Following her input, Rhianon said: “Spending the day with Dorset has been incredibly encouraging. I’m grateful to have my experiences listened to and learnt from. For me, Dorset are a force who haven’t just recognised the need for improvement, but have taken proactive steps to achieve it.
“That will save lives.”
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said: “I am very grateful to Rhianon for visiting the Force to tell her very difficult and emotive story about the years of abuse she and her family suffered at the hands of Gareth Wyn Jones. This input is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure our people hear first-hand the voice of the victim because is the best way for us to learn, help us to look out for the tell-tale signs of domestic abuse and help drive forward change.
“It is our job to protect the public and ensure that people who have links to violence and domestic abuse should not have access to firearms.”
If you have been the victim of domestic abuse, stalking, harassment or controlling and coercive behaviour, you can find out details on how to report and the support that is available by visiting: https://www.dorset.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/
