Grieving couple whose daughter, 20, killed herself at Bristol University name for brand spanking new ‘obligation of care’ measures after workers didn’t act over her electronic mail plea for assist
The heartbroken parents of a ‘hard-working and high-achieving’ student who took her own life are calling to make duty of care to students a legal requirement for universities.
Natasha Abrahart was studying physics at Bristol University when she was found dead at her flat in April 2018.
The 20-year-old had made a previous suicide attempt in the winter term, and university staff were aware she was struggling.
In February 2018 she emailed one university employee saying: ‘I’ve been having suicidal thoughts and to a certain degree attempted it.’
The 20-year-old, who suffered with a social anxiety disorder, had been due to take part in a group presentation in front of staff and students in a 329-seat lecture.
The parents of Natasha Abrahart are calling for new duty of care measures at universities after she took her own life while studying at Bristol University
Natasha Abrahart’s parents, Robert and Margaret, read a statement outside Bristol County Court in May 2022
Photo of Natasha Abrahart with her parents Robert and Margaret
Before the presentation, known as a laboratory conference, Natasha had struggled to complete one-on-one interview-based assessments.
Her parents Robert and Maggie successfully sued the University of Bristol in 2022 after a judge ruled that the institution had breached its duties under the Equality Act by failing to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for Natasha in light of her debilitating anxiety.
Judge Ralton, sitting at the Civil Justice Centre in Bristol, also found the university had engaged in indirect disability discrimination against Natasha, and treated her unfavourably because of the consequences of her disability.
The university was ordered to pay Natasha’s parents £50,000 in damages and invited to agree a sum for her funeral expenses.
In December last year, the university brought an appeal in the High Court, arguing that the judge was wrong to find that it knew, or should have known, enough about Ms Abrahart’s condition to adjust the assessments.
But a ruling in February dismissed the university’s appeal.
Natasha’s parents successfully sued the University of Bristol in 2022 after a judge ruled that the institution had breached its duties under the Equality Act by failing to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for the student in light of her debilitating anxiety
The university of Bristol was ordered to pay Natasha’s parents £50,000 in damages for failing to accommodate her mental health disability or make reasonable adjustments to the way it assessed their daughter
The Abraharts, who are part of the ForThe100 campaign – a group that offers support to families of students who died by suicide at university – are now fighting to make duty of care to students a legal requirement for higher education providers.
According to the group, 100 students take their own life every year.
Last year, the group submitted a 120,000 petition to parliament which forced a House of Commons debate, but no changes were made to the current legislation.
However, as thousands of students are starting the university term, Natasha’s father has said he will continue his fight, telling the Mirror that ‘universities owe a duty of care to their students’.
‘After Natasha died, we were appalled to learn she was the tenth of eleven students to die at Bristol university within an 18 month period. It felt like a lot of these students suffered death by indifference and we don’t think that’s acceptable,’ he said.
A spokesperson for the University of Bristol said: ‘We care deeply about all our students and staff which is why the mental health and well-being of our community is at the heart of decision making across the University. This includes the provision of appropriate, accessible services and interventions. We continue to develop and improve our services to support those who need help.’
