We’re joined by a very special guest: MP for Lowestoft Jess Asato. A new MP in 2024, Jess worked in the domestic abuse sector and with children’s charity Barnardo’s before entering parliament. Her amendment, to train doctors who assess for assisted dying in domestic abuse, coercive control and financial abuse, is one of the few safeguards which have been accepted by the Assisted Death bill committee. Earlier this week, Fiona and Chelsea joined Jess at a meeting of voices from across the women’s sector where for the first time, they shared concerns and practical thoughts about how this bill might affect us all. We caught Jess after that meeting to explore what we learned and why this assisted dying bill cannot be completely safe for women.
An Action for #IWD2025
If you are concerned about the potential impacts of the assisted dying bill at Westminster, this week we’d like you to write to your MP (MP's contact details at Parliament website) and ask them to attend Jess Asato’s event on safeguarding women in Assisted Dying. Your MP can get the time and date from Jess’s team.
We ask Jess Asato:
why she as a new MP decided she would step in to the debate on assisted dying
if her amendment now makes the bill completely safe for victims of domestic abuse (her answer is No).
What she learned from listening to voices from different walks of life on the potential for assisted death to harm the vulnerable
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