Family campaigns for new 'Duty to Rescue' law

Back in March 2023, Jonathan Haggerty's sister Danielle died from asphyxiation during a domestic incident. She was locked in a property and died as result of being alone.

There is currently no law requiring someone to take action when a life is at risk.

Jonathan set up a petition, inspired by Danielle Haggerty’s tragic death. Other countries have “duty to rescue” laws that protect vulnerable people and encourage intervention to save lives. Introducing a similar law in the UK would prevent future tragedies and ensure that anyone in immediate danger has someone legally required to try to save them so that no-one would ever be knowingly left alone to die.

However, the petition only received a total number of 31,622 signatures. On 22 June 2026, the Government responded to this petition saying "Currently, the Government has no plans to legislate to make it a crime for a person to leave someone on their own who may be vulnerable, in danger and in need help."

Danielle's case has directly informed the Law Commission’s Review of Homicide Law. The Commission confirmed that the evidence submitted regarding Danielle’s death will be retained and considered as part of its ongoing reform work. 

The review is examining issues that sit at the heart of Danielle’s Law, including whether there should be a legal duty to assist or seek help when someone is in immediate danger, how the law should respond when an individual fails to act.

Danielle's case is also referenced under a secondary category, whether deaths linked to coercive control and domestic abuse should be treated differently under homicide legislation. 

Danielle’s case has helped bring attention to these gaps in the law and is now part of the national conversation on strengthening accountability and improving protections for victims of abuse.

Listen to Jonathan who explains more in a special report for Tameside Radio News.

Links

Duty to rescue (Question 14- Duty to rescue)

https://cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/sites/54/2026/06/Homicide-offences-consultation-paper.pdf

Abuse related suicide (Question 20 and 21 Abuse related suicide)

https://consult.justice.gov.uk/law-commission/homicide-offences/consultation/

Jonathan has also set up a website www.lostvoicesuk.co.uk who are a community of bereaved families offering support and guidance after domestic abuse-related loss.