why we need law reform

Why We Need Law Reform

   

The Will of the People

The overwhelming majority of Australians (85%) believe that terminally ill individuals should have a right to seek and obtain assistance to end their life with dignity.

Advances in medicine mean that we are living longer but despite these advances in medicine, too many people still experience intolerable suffering at the end of life, because they are denied the right to choose a medically-assisted, dignified death. Just as there is medical futility, so there is palliative futility. Palliative Care Australia acknowledges that despite the best available care, not everyone can be helped.

Delaying law reform is having huge negative consequences because incurably ill people with profound suffering are forced to look for other ways to accelerate their own deaths such as hanging, car exhust gassing, jumping in front of a train or off a tall structure, and attempted drug overdose.

DWDV pursues public policies and law reform in the State of Victoria to enhance self-determination and dignity at the end of life.

Our legislative charter sets a responsible framework for for law reform to provide choice while at the same time including appropriate safeguards.

 


Independent Newspoll research.

 

Victorians Want Change

People most in need of 'dying with dignity' legislation can’t get out and march down Bourke Street. They are too ill.

As an organised voice, DWDV works for the enactment of dying with dignity legislation on behalf of the overwhelming majority of Victorians who believe that terminally ill individuals should have a right to seek and obtain medical assistance to end their life with dignity.

Current law lags significantly behind the will of the people.

Physician assisted dying is already lawful in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Oregon, Washington and Montana in the USA. These laws are working safely and responsibly.

 

Q: What do all these have in common?

 

A: These are some of the ways incurably ill Victorians with profound suffering currently attempt to kill themselves because the law does not allow them to die in a manner of their own choice with dignity, medical supervision and the support of their loved ones.

 

How You Can Help

DWDV is a self-funded, non-profit organisation, relying on membership fees, donations and volunteers, to
continue its work.

 

Ways you can help
us to help you:

 

 

 

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