Gemma Ahern, now 36, witnessed her father stab her mother Carol Quinton 36 times with scissors in 1992 when she was just 3 years old. Her father was convicted of manslaughter, served two years, and regained full parental responsibility, forcing Gemma back into his care at age 6 despite the trauma.
Childhood Trauma
Ahern recalls eating breakfast downstairs before following her father upstairs, seeing him attack her 26-year-old mother—who wanted to leave due to an affair—11 times through the heart. She suppressed memories during a controlled childhood with her father and stepmother, leading to complex PTSD and ADHD diagnoses later.
Long-term Impact
Living with her killer parent caused severe mental health struggles, only addressed after moving away at 31 and cutting contact. Ahern worked for his business under emotional and financial control until breaking free.
Campaign for Jade’s Law
She’s advocating for Jade’s Law—passed in 2024 but not yet enforced—which would automatically suspend parental responsibility for killers of a partner with shared children. Named after murdered mother Jade Ward, it aims to protect kids’ access to therapy, schooling, and family decisions, prioritizing maternal relatives and support services. Ahern will lobby Parliament next month.
