Remembering Grace Millane: The Global Epidemic of Femicide
On December 1, 2018, 21-year-old British backpacker Grace Millane met up with a man in Auckland, New Zealand. She was travelling the world, embracing adventure, and making memories. But just one day later, she went missing. A week later, her body was found buried in a shallow grave. Grace had been murdered by Jesse Kempson, a man she had met through a dating app. Her story is heartbreaking, but it is not unique. Grace’s murder highlights the ongoing global epidemic of violence against women, a crisis that demands urgent attention.
Grace’s Story: A Night That Should Have Been Safe
Grace was like many young women—she was independent, curious, and full of life. She had set out on a world tour after completing university, eager to experience new places. In Auckland, she met Kempson on a Tinder date. CCTV footage captured them together, seemingly enjoying their evening. What happened after is both horrific and all too familiar.
Kempson took Grace to his hotel room, where he strangled her to death. Instead of seeking help or showing remorse, he searched online for ways to dispose of a body, watched pornography, and took photos of Grace's lifeless body. He later attempted to cover his tracks, burying her in a suitcase in the Waitākere Ranges.
The Trial: A Case of Blame and Denial
During his trial, Kempson refused to take responsibility, claiming that Grace’s death was an accident during rough sex. This defense—one that has been used in multiple femicide cases—attempts to shift blame onto the victim, reinforcing harmful narratives about women’s choices rather than men’s actions.
The jury, however, saw through his lies. In February 2020, Kempson was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years. His history of abusing and manipulating women emerged, painting a picture of a violent predator who had harmed others before Grace. Despite the conviction, the trial raised an important issue: why are women still blamed for their own murders?
The Dangerous Myth of “Rough Sex Gone Wrong”
One of the most disturbing elements of Grace’s case was the way her killer attempted to excuse his actions by suggesting she had consented to dangerous sexual practices. This so-called “rough sex” defense has been used in multiple cases around the world, attempting to justify violence against women.
Before 2021, UK law allowed this defense to be used in court, resulting in lighter sentences or even acquittals for men who killed women. Grace’s murder played a role in changing this. Following public outrage and activism, the UK passed the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which banned the “rough sex” defense. However, femicide rates remain alarmingly high.
Femicide: A Global Crisis
Grace’s case is not an isolated incident—it is part of a pattern of male violence against women.
🔴 In the UK, one woman is killed by a man every three days.
🔴 In 2022, at least 108 women in the UK were killed by men or in cases where a suspect was male.
🔴 Over 50% of female homicide victims worldwide are killed by a partner or family member.
These numbers are more than statistics—they are real women, real lives lost. From Sarah Everard to Ashling Murphy, too many women’s names have become headlines in tragedies that could have been prevented.
What Can We Learn from Grace’s Story?
Victim blaming must stop. Women should not have to justify their presence, their choices, or their right to live freely.
The justice system needs to do more. While the “rough sex” defence is now banned, many killers still receive lenient sentences.
We must educate men on consent and respect. Violence against women is not a “women’s issue” to solve—it starts with changing male behaviour and holding perpetrators accountable.
We need global action against femicide. Governments must treat violence against women as a public crisis, implementing stronger protections and harsher penalties.
Remembering Grace: Turning Tragedy into Change
Grace Millane should be alive today. Her family’s pain is unimaginable, but they have used their grief to advocate for change. They remind us that Grace was not just a victim—she was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a woman who deserved to live.
I am incredibly passionate about Grace’s case and the fight against femicide. Her story deeply resonates with me, and I have chosen to support Love Grace, the charity set up by Grace’s family. Love Grace works to help women fleeing domestic abuse by providing handbag donations filled with essential items, supporting survivors as they rebuild their lives.
If you would like to help, you can support Love Grace by:
✔️ Donating handbags and essential items to be distributed to women in need.
✔️ Making a financial contribution to help fund their work.
✔️ Spreading awareness about domestic abuse and supporting survivors.
Find out more and donate at [insert link to Love Grace charity].
Her story is a reminder that no woman is safe until every woman is safe. We must continue to speak out, demand justice, and fight against gender-based violence—because one life lost to femicide is one too many.
📢 Speak up. Educate others. Hold perpetrators accountable. We owe it to Grace and every woman who has lost her life to violence.
📢 Need support? If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or gender-based violence, here are some resources:
🇬🇧 UK: Refuge - 0808 2000 247
🇳🇿 NZ: Women’s Refuge - 0800 733 843
🇺🇸 US: National Domestic Violence Hotline - 800-799-7233
