Assisted dying legislation before the Scottish Parliament will increase the risk of “irreversible harm” to women, an expert on domestic abuse has said.
This week, a committee of MSPs voted down an amendment to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill to require training of doctors involved in assisted deaths on identifying domestic abuse and coercive control.
Responding to the vote, Dr Anni Donaldson, an expert in these crimes at the University of Strathclyde, warned that the legislation is no safer for victims than when it was first introduced. Dr Donaldson commented:
“The amendment to the Bill would have required training for doctors on routine enquiry – making sure people are asked the right questions – as well as risk assessment for domestic abuse and coercive control. It is both baffling and alarming that this measure has been voted down, given the risk of irreversible harm to women in abusive situations that an assisted dying law poses. As experts in my field warn, it could be a lethal weapon in the hands of domestic abusers.
“In a letter to the committee considering Liam McArthur’s Bill, I explained that women in abusive situations are demeaned and told they are worthless, that they’d be better off dead, and that their children would be better off without them. The ongoing fear and trauma of coercive control and the constant humiliation erodes their confidence, autonomy, and self-esteem. Cut off from support, victims often come to believe these lies, and fear reprisals from their partner if they report the abuse.
“Given this, women living with an abusive partner are unlikely to be in a position to give their consent freely to the process of an assisted death. And it is highly likely that medical professionals will miss the signs of abuse. I remain deeply concerned that the legislation being considered will make life more dangerous for vulnerable women and I would urge MSPs to have victims abuse in mind when they vote on the Bill again.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
Dr Anni Donaldson is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Strathclyde who focuses on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls
Please consider including this paragraph in coverage:
Anyone living with domestic abuse, or concerned about someone who is, can seek support on Scotland’s 24-hour domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline on 0800 027 1234, by emailing helpline@sdafmh.org.uk, visiting sdafmh.org.uk, or by messaging 07401 288 595.