Family launches petition for change in law following sisters' death

Jonathan Haggerty is calling for a change in UK law after the death of his sister, launching a national petition to make it a criminal offence to abandon someone in immediate danger without seeking help.

Jonathan started the petition following the death of his sister, Danielle Haggerty, who died in March 2023 after suffering asphyxiation during a domestic incident. Danielle was locked inside a property and left alone, with no one taking action to get help.

Under current UK law, there is no general legal requirement for one civilian to intervene or seek help for another civilian, even when a life is clearly at risk. The Haggerty family say this legal gap meant that, despite the circumstances, no offence existed for leaving Danielle alone to die.

Jonathan told the Reporter: “There is currently no law that requires someone to take action when another person’s life is in immediate danger. Danielle was left alone, locked inside, and died as a result.”

The petition calls for the introduction of a legal “duty to rescue” - a law already in place in several other countries. Such laws typically require individuals to take reasonable steps to help someone in serious danger, such as calling emergency services, provided they can do so without putting themselves at risk.

Supporters of the campaign argue that a UK version of the law would protect vulnerable people and encourage bystanders to act, rather than walk away. They say it would not force people to physically intervene but would ensure that no one can knowingly abandon someone whose life is at risk without consequences.

The petition states: “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.”

Johnathan and his family hope the law would close what they see as a moral and legal loophole, particularly in domestic situations where vulnerable individuals may already be isolated.

The petition needs 100,000 signatures to be considered for debate in Parliament. As of this week, it has gathered more than 6,000 signatures and remains open until June.

Campaigners are urging members of the public to support the petition to help ensure Danielle’s death leads to meaningful change.

“This isn’t just about our family,” Jonathan says. “It’s about protecting others and making sure help is sought when it matters most.”

The petition can be found here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750545

Danielle Haggerty