Long publishes Creswell Review terms of reference
Date published:
The terms of reference for an independent review into the Jonathan Creswell case, have been published by the Justice Minister.
Naomi Long has further announced Jan Melia as the Independent Reviewer – a current Domestic Homicide Review Chairperson and the former CEO of Women’s Aid Federation NI.
The Minister said:
“Today as I announce more information into this bespoke review, my thoughts are very much with the family of Katie Simpson indeed, all of Jonathan Creswell’s victims. Tragically we cannot turn back the hands of time but what we can do is learn lessons from the past so that they are not repeated in the future.
“Katie’s family will very much be at the centre of this review, which is not about apportioning blame to any organisation - but constructive engagement and a learning-based approach. It is crucial the focus is on collective, system-wide learning.”
The Minister has also contacted key agencies – the PSNI, Probation Board NI (PBNI), Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) and the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WH&SCT) – seeking their full support for the review.
The terms of reference and Jan Melia’s biography are available on the Department of Justice website.
Notes to editors:
- Jonathan Creswell was arrested in March 2021 in connection with the rape and murder of Katie Simpson in August 2020. He was subsequently charged with these offences and, while the criminal trial was ongoing, was found dead at his home in April 2024.
- Biography: Jan Melia (photo included) has over 30 years’ experience working with victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Working in England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland, Jan has held senior roles in victims’ organisations including Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis, and she has developed victim centred projects and policies for a wide range of voluntary sector organisations. She has managed partnerships, consortia, and European programmes working with a wide range of stakeholders. She has been a Domestic Homicide Review Chairperson since December 2020 and currently works with voluntary sector organisations supporting them with strategic development, fundraising and development. Jan completed her master’s degree (LLM) in Human Rights & Transitional Justice at University of Ulster (2012) and undertook a PhD in Politics and International Relations at the University of Aberdeen, graduating in 2018. She also studied person-centred counselling at Queen’s University Belfast (2004). Jan is the author of several academic papers and has presented papers on gender-based violence at conferences in Northern Ireland and Europe. She has managed research projects focused on domestic and sexual violence and has contributed to consultations, media articles and project development working with victims and communities.
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