Zara Aleena's aunt calls for law creating duty to act when someone is in danger

"Ms Aleena's aunt, Farah Naz, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme a new law would not mean witnesses putting themselves at risk, as stepping in could involve phoning the police, adding it was about creating "cultural change". She said Lady Elish's report stated the safety of women in public required "whole society action" and communities should feel "liberated to act"."

""My proposal for a Good Samaritan law is exactly that," said Ms Naz. "It creates legal duty to act when someone is clearly in danger, offering protection and obligation." She continued: "We're being told that women are not safe in public spaces and they have to be responsible for their own safety. "So the state does need to be acting with urgency to make women feel safe, they have a right to feel safe in public spaces.""

"Countries around the world that enforce some kind of Good Samaritan law, legally protecting those who do assist from fear of being sued for "ordinary negligence", include the US, Canada and Finland. Meanwhile Germany, Italy, Poland and Portugal all have a 'duty to rescue law' - rather than a Good Samaritan Law - making it a criminal offence to fail to provide assist"

Zara Aleena, a 35-year-old law graduate, was killed by a prolific offender in June 2022 while walking home after drinks in east London. Farah Naz calls for a Good Samaritan law to require bystanders to step in when someone is clearly in danger. Stepping in can include phoning the police and does not require putting witnesses at risk. The law would create a legal duty to act and offer legal protection and obligation. Lady Elish Angiolini recommended encouraging bystander action and considering such a law. Some countries protect helpers from negligence claims; others criminalize failure to assist.

Read at www.bbc.com