In the aftermath of Sara's murder, her father received a minimum sentence of 40 years, while her stepmother, Beinash Batool, was sentenced to at least 33 years, underscoring the severe consequences of such crimes.

The tragic murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif by her father, Urfan Sharif, has brought to light a disturbing trend in the UK, where five victims of domestic abuse die each week.

In the year leading up to March 2024, there were 262 abuse-related homicides recorded in England and Wales, with 80 victims killed by partners and 31 by adult family members.

During the same period, it is estimated that 98 domestic abuse victims died by suicide, indicating a troubling trend where suicides now outnumber homicides involving current or former partners.

A recent study revealed that nearly 70% of domestic abuse murderers had prior interactions with law enforcement, highlighting systemic failures in preventing such tragedies.

Julie Devey, Chair of Killed Women, emphasized that these deaths are preventable and criticized the failure of agencies to act on known information about both perpetrators and victims.

Research from the National Police Chiefs' Council indicates that most domestic abuse murderers, including those like Sharif, were known to police before committing their crimes.

Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe described the findings as 'horrific,' calling for urgent societal changes to address the deep-rooted issues of domestic abuse.

Minister Jess Phillips has stressed the necessity for coordinated action across government and police to effectively tackle domestic abuse.

The report recommends mandatory investigations by police into the history of domestic abuse in all unexpected deaths, aiming to enhance preventative measures.