Written by The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, otherwise known as Assisted Suicide, has now reached the report stage in the House of Commons. We acknowledge that the subject of dignity in dying is very difficult and sensitive. However, while we are aware that the Bill recognises the potential for coercion, we do not believe that it will effectively safeguard against it for the following reasons:
- The Bill does not set out sufficiently clear information as to what would constitute coercion to request assisted suicide
- Medical staff currently lack sufficient training to recognise coercive control/domestic abuse being perpetrated against patients
- There is a lack of research into links between assisted suicide and domestic abuse in countries where the process is legal. However, we are aware of cases where domestic abuse survivors in such countries have been subjected to threats which the use of assisted suicide.
- Research (1) into illegal “mercy killings” in the UK have shown that a high proportion (88%) were men killing women and that 78% of victims had not indicated a wish to die, and were not terminally ill but more likely to be elderly or disabled.
- Earlier this year, the terminology around Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) was changed to Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDRs) in order to legally recognise death by suicide relating to domestic abuse. Recent research indicates that around 30 women attempt or contemplate suicide every day as a result of domestic abuse.
- We are also concerned that people (largely young women) with anorexia nervosa (AN), a particularly long-lasting illness, could qualify for assisted death under this Bill as it stands. As such, the bill represents a threat to individuals with a severe, but treatable illness, many of whom have been systematically failed by the National Health Service and allowed to suffer and deteriorate without adequate care (2).
Along with many domestic abuse professionals and victims/survivors, and people living with disabilities, we are deeply concerned that the proposed legislation will pose a significant risk to people who have vulnerabilities due to abuse, disability or chronic illness.
As the Assisted Suicide Bill continues to be debated, we urge decision makers to consider the potential impact of the Bill on victims/survivors of domestic abuse/coercive control, particularly those who are elderly or living with disability or illness.
1 The Other Half: “Ssafeguarding Women in Assisted Dying” 2024
2 Adams, M., Baker, S., L, C., Reed, B. and Virgo, H., 2025. Written evidence submitted on behalf of a group of anorexia nervosa sufferers and carers (TIAB78). House of Commons Public Bill Committee. Available at: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmpublic/TerminallyIllAdults/memo/TIAB78.htm