Exhibition visualising lives lost to domestic abuse-related suicide visits University of Central Lancashire
The Blue Shoes Exhibition is touring Lancashire in support of the campaign for Kiena's Law
An exhibition of 150 pairs of blue shoes representing lives lost to domestic abuse-related suicide is on display at the University of Central Lancashire in St Peter's Square today.
The Blue Shoes Exhibition is touring locations across Lancashire.
It was created by Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, and Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA).
Local support services will be at all of the events to offer information and support where needed.
What the exhibition represents
The shoes were painted blue by Fylde Coast Women's Aid.
They represent 150 suspected suicides linked to domestic abuse in 2025.
Organisers say the colour blue symbolises both feelings of depression, or "feeling blue", and the lasting impact of lives lost.
The exhibition supports the campaign for Kiena's Law and encourages visitors to sign the online petition.
The campaign for Kiena's Law
The exhibition and campaign follow the death of Kiena Dawes, a young mother from Lancashire.
She took her own life in July 2022 after suffering prolonged domestic abuse.
Her death drew widespread attention because it highlighted how domestic abuse can have devastating, long-term effects.
It also raised questions about whether more could have been done to protect her.
Mr Grunshaw said: "The public response to our Blue Shoes Exhibition and the campaign for Kiena's Law has been truly overwhelming."
He also said: "More than 44,000 people have already signed my petition to support the call for change and to ensure that the role of perpetrators is properly recognised where domestic abuse leads to suicide."
Frank Mullane MBE, chief executive of AAFDA, said: "Domestic abuse-related suicides are a real scourge and testament to how utterly devastating domestic abuse can be."
He added: "We teamed up with the Lancashire PCC, Clive Grunshaw, to start a petition to bring about law which would ensure perpetrators were properly held to account."
Mr Mullane also said: "The Blue Shoes Exhibition is a powerful tool to increase awareness and it's fantastic to see it go on tour in support of our calls for Kiena's Law."
Where the exhibition is going next
After today's visit to the University of Central Lancashire, the exhibition will be at:
22nd October - Edge Hill University
29th October - The Concourse, Skelmersdale
19th November - The Esplanade, Fleetwood
18th February - Market Hall, Accrington
The petition for Kiena's Law can be signed online here.