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73. Fire bath: Is it a “slow burn”, or murder?

Is it possible to defend yourself against a sleeping attacker?

In 1989 Kiranjit Ahuwalia set fire to her sleeping husband who was found running around their front garden. It emerged that she had suffered years of abuse at his hands, but is it possible to defend yourself against a sleeping attacker? This case forced the courts to examine the way that years of abuse may cloud your judgement, and specifically; what constitutes “provocation”?
On this episode of Bad People Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen discuss whether provocation can ever be a “slow burn” and what this case tells us about how the courts, and society, view intimate partner abuse.

CREDITS

Presenters: Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen
Producer: Louisa Field, Kat Dunn and Laura Northedge
Editor: Anna Lacey
Music: Matt Chandler
The Open University: Dr Sarah Laurence and Dr Ailsa Strathie
Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins
Commissioning Assistant Producer: Adam Eland

#BadPeople_91ȱ

Bad People is produced in partnership with The Open University and is a 91ȱ Audio Science Production for 91ȱ Sounds.Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins
Commissioning Assistant Producer: Adam Eland

#BadPeople_91ȱ

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31 minutes

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