Women’s Aid highlight the impact of the Assisted Dying Bill on those experiencing domestic abuse

Sophie Francis-Cansfield, Head of Policy at Women’s Aid, said:

“Women’s Aid is concerned that the Assisted Dying Bill, a Private Members Bill currently being debated in Parliament, lacks effective safeguarding of domestic abuse survivors and fear that survivors may be coerced by their perpetrator into ending their own life if these are not improved.

Coercive and controlling behaviour, which is designed to make a person dependent on their perpetrator by isolating them from support, exploiting them, and depriving them from independence, is at the heart of domestic abuse. This form of abuse is closely linked to domestic homicide and suicide in the context of domestic abuse, meaning that there are real risks that without effective safeguards in place, the Assisted Dying Bill could leave survivors in an extremely vulnerable position. This is particularly the case for older survivors and disabled survivors, who may have to depend on their perpetrator as their care giver or who, after years of abuse destroying their self-worth, may feel like the word is a better place without them.

It is important to recognise that disabled people are more likely to experience domestic abuse and coercive control, and that measures need to be in place to protect them. Disabled survivors and those with terminal illnesses can experience medical coercion, which may involve being pressured into signing DNRs or feeling that they must refuse treatments. Women’s Aid agrees with concerns raised by Stay Safe East over the insufficient safeguards in the Bill to prevent perpetrators from making convincing cases for end of life, in the guise of ‘carer’, especially in instances where the survivor is unable to speak, make proper judgement, or have learning difficulties.

We support the positions, and work of, Centre for Women’s Justice and Stay Say East in relation to this Bill.  It’s current drafting, there have not been sufficient measures taken to prohibit abuse and to ensure the protection of survivors.”