Zara Aleena's relative urges for law requiring action in case of danger

The aunt of Zara Aleena, a law graduate tragically murdered in 2022, is pushing for legislation that would legally obligate bystanders to act when someone is in danger. Aleena, 35, was fatally attacked by a known offender while walking home in east London after an evening out with a friend.

This initiative follows a report by Lady Elish Angiolini on preventing sexually motivated crimes against women in public spaces, issued four years after the high-profile murder of Sarah Everard in 2021. One key suggestion of the report was for the government to encourage citizens to intervene in dangerous situations and to consider the introduction of a Good Samaritan law.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the government would examine the reports recommendations thoroughly. Farah Naz, Aleenas aunt, emphasized on BBC Radio 4s Today Programme that the proposed law would not require individuals to put themselves at risk, as intervention could simply involve contacting authorities. She stressed that the aim is to foster a cultural shift in how communities respond to danger.

"Lady Elishs findings highlighted that womens safety in public requires collective responsibility, and society should feel empowered to act," Ms. Naz explained. She added, "My idea for a Good Samaritan law establishes a legal duty to help someone in clear danger, providing both protection and obligation."

Ms. Naz further argued that women are often told they must safeguard themselves, whereas the state should actively ensure public safety and enforce the right to feel secure. Countries such as the United States, Canada, and Finland have laws that protect those who intervene from legal repercussions. Meanwhile, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Portugal impose a "duty to rescue," making failure to assist in emergencies a criminal offense, provided one does not endanger oneself.

The offender, Jordan McSweeney, was captured on CCTV stalking Ilford streets and fatally assaulting Aleena just nine days after being released from prison. Ms. Naz described Lady Elishs report as painful but essential, highlighting systemic failures that allowed dangerous individuals to remain free and harm women.

The Angiolini Inquiry, initiated in 2021 after the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard, examined police failures and broader issues in womens safety. Its first report in 2024 concluded that missed opportunities allowed Everards killer to commit his crimes, recommending comprehensive sexual offence policies for all police forces.

The inquirys latest report urges police to adopt specialist policies for investigating sexual offences, including non-contact crimes, and notes that 26% of forces had not yet implemented these guidelines as of September. Additional recommendations focus on fostering positive masculinity, consistent public education on reporting crimes, and improving information accessibility.

In her foreword to the report, Susan Everard, Sarah's mother, reflected on the ongoing trauma, saying, "I cannot move past the horror of her final hours."

Author: Logan Reeves