Assisted dying could become ‘tool’ to harm women in England and Wales, say faith leaders

Sarah Mullally, the bishop of London and the third most senior figure in the Church of England, was one of the signatories. Photograph: Paul Childs/AFP/Getty Images

The legalisation of assisted dying in England and Wales could create “a new tool to harm vulnerable women”, particularly those subject to domestic violence and coercive control, say female faith leaders from different traditions.

More than 100 women from Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Sikh groups have warned in an open letter that the terminally ill adults bill has “insufficient safeguards to protect some of the most marginalised in society, particularly women subjected to gender-based violence and abuse by a partner”.