'We won't stop fight for university duty of care'

Natasha Abrahart killed herself on the day she was due to give a presentation at university

The family of a student who took her own life at university say they will continue to push for a statutory duty of care in higher education.

Natasha Abrahart, from Nottingham, died in April 2018 at the University of Bristol (UoB).

A university appeal against a judgement that it contributed to her death by discriminating against her was rejected on Wednesday.

Her mother, Maggie Abrahart, said: "We won’t stop and we’ve got lots of families behind us."

Natasha Abrahart's parents have been campaigning since their daughter's death

The 20-year-old student, who had chronic social anxiety disorder, took her own life on the day she was due to take part in a group presentation.

A High Court ruling decided the university had failed to make reasonable adjustments for Ms Abrahart.

However, a judge refused to say whether or not universities owe their students a duty of care, saying a ruling on the issue is "not necessary".

A statutory duty of care would require all universities to act with reasonable care and skill so as to avoid causing harm to students.

A petition calling for Parliament to implement the law gained 128,000 signatures before it closed.

Robert Abrahart, Natasha's father, said: "What we’d like is a statutory duty of care.

"Everybody understands driving without due care and attention. We want educating with due care and attention.

"It’s very simple, we want people, in their day-to-day jobs to act reasonably and responsibly."

Mrs Abrahart added: "What we really need to do is make sure everyone is protected and that’s where the campaign for the duty of care is really important."

'Tragedy'

Ms Abrahart was due to deliver a presentation on the day she died

On the day Ms Abrahart was found in her flat, she had been due to deliver a presentation in front of more than 40 students in a 329-seat lecture theatre.

The physics student was in her second year of university when, according to family, "things started to go wrong" as she was required to complete oral assessments as part of her course.

Prof Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor and president of the UoB, said: "Natasha's death is a tragedy - I am deeply sorry for the Abrahart family's loss.

"At Bristol, we care profoundly for all our students and their mental health and wellbeing is a priority and is at the heart of everything we do."

Following Ms Abrahart's death, her family brought legal action against the university alleging it had contributed to his daughter's death by discriminating against her on the grounds of disability.

During a five-day trial in March 2022, Bristol County Court heard that Ms Abrahart had made a prior suicide attempt in the winter term, and university staff were aware she was struggling.

A judge ruled the university had breached its duties under the Equality Act by failing to make "reasonable adjustments" for Ms Abrahart in light of her debilitating anxiety, which is considered a disability.

The judge dismissed a claim that the university had been negligent and ordered the university to pay damages of £50,500.

Natasha's parents have been working alongside the charity Inquest, which provides support and information on state-related deaths and investigation, and both say they will continue their fight for change in the education sector.

On their campaign, Mrs Abrahart added: "We can't save our own child but we might be able to save others."

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.