Vulnerable people are at the heart of The Salvation Army’s mission. Our value of compassion calls us all to serve others and raise up the vulnerable whose circumstances mean that it can sometimes be challenging to make themselves heard.
That is why The Salvation Army is campaigning against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – because some of the people that we support are worried by its impact on others like them.
We recently commissioned a survey to better understand the general public’s view on this Bill, which is currently making its way through the Houses of Parliament.
I’m sure you would be interested to know that, while the public support assisted dying in theory (78%), they are concerned about how this Bill will put this into practice.
Our survey found that many people believe that the elderly (63% highlighted this), the disabled (58% highlighted this) and those with mental health issues (56% highlighted this) were at risk of feeling pressured into applying for an assisted death.
A majority of the people asked (56%) are concerned that vulnerable people will feel pressured to pursue an assisted death because they feel they have become a burden. This includes 50% of those who support assisted dying in theory.
We are particularly concerned that those with the least in our society may be disproportionately affected. Poverty is limiting, painful and exhausting. It is coercive in its very nature and acts as a persuasive force in our communities and society as a whole. This Bill risks creating a two-tier system of death where those who cannot afford to pay for care may be forced to opt for an early death.
Will you join us in standing up for the most vulnerable?
Take action now and use your voice, write to your MP today.
